BajaNomad - Come to BAJA!!!!!!

Come to BAJA!!!!!!

bajajudy - 1-28-2010 at 09:30 AM

After being on the road for just over a week, one thing has become painfully obvious. The merchants, inn, hotel and restaurant owners, all need people to come to Baja to stimulate the economy. In all our years of traveling up and down the peninsula, we have never seen so few people on the road, in the towns and in the businesses.
So if you can see a way to come down and help these good people, please plan a trip!

David K - 1-28-2010 at 09:45 AM

Yah, that is the case all over... Baja and other places!

Baja more because of :

*Storm closed the only highway south for days

*U.S. economy in ruins, no vacation money for many

*Narco-terrorist wars in border towns, killings and kidnappings

*Passports required (although still not insisted on)

*Long wait in line to return north at border

*Tourist Cards not easy to get/ pay for at most borders

*Police still seeking bribes from tourists

*Bad press on Mexico...

We can only hope for these to get better so our Mexican friends can have some good times again, too!

[Edited on 1-28-2010 by David K]

BajaNaranja - 1-28-2010 at 10:23 AM

The list of issues facing Mexico reminds me of the litany of challenges that were touched upon last night in the state of the union.

David another one is border crossings - both south bound and north - that are a hassle and way too slow.

About the tourist cards, they should set it up so you can do that all online - no running around to Mexican banks and government offices - yuck.

David K - 1-28-2010 at 10:36 AM

Good point (border wait)! I will add that, thanks!!

DENNIS - 1-28-2010 at 10:39 AM

It's just a different world. Almost everything has changed and it's up to the varying economies to adapt....or die.

DENNIS - 1-28-2010 at 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNaranja

About the tourist cards, they should set it up so you can do that all online - no running around to Mexican banks and government offices - yuck.

It will be a long time before the traveling public will have the confidence to turn over their banking information to the Mexican government.
Good idea though.

BajaNaranja - 1-28-2010 at 11:26 AM

I'd pay the Mex govt via PayPal for a tourist card... They'd probably get twice as many tourist cards and quadruple the revenue if they went that approach...

Woooosh - 1-28-2010 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Yah, that is the case all over... Baja and other places!

Baja more because of :

*Storm closed the only highway south for days

*U.S. economy in ruins, no vacation money for many

*Narco-terrorist wars in border towns, killings and kidnappings

*Passports required (although still not insisted on)

*Long wait in line to return north at border

*Tourist Cards not easy to get/ pay for at most borders

*Police still seeking bribes from tourists

*Bad press on Mexico...

We can only hope for these to get better so our Mexican friends can have some good times again, too!

[Edited on 1-28-2010 by David K]

With all these problems- why does Mexico threaten the media not to post "Security Alerts"? Don't they see it is many factors, not just the media? And once these thinly-disguised threats against the media and individuals hits CNN- they will have wished they never brought it up. No one wants to visit an freedom-oppressed country for vacation.

Bajaboy - 1-28-2010 at 12:47 PM

If Mexico wants more tourists then it needs to become more tourist friendly. Create a tourist center at the border where one can get fishing licenses, FMTs, insurance, etc. Make sure there is adequate parking. Provide a list of laws and regulations that are enforced equally by all agencies....not the interpret the law as you go model now in place. Provide a toll free number for people to lodge complaints against police (and actually investigate and prosecute corrput cops). The list is endless but it is up to Mexico. Just a few thoughts....

David K - 1-28-2010 at 12:50 PM

Great idea Zac!

KAT54 - 1-28-2010 at 12:51 PM

But is not this the reason we like baja?
Action?

DENNIS - 1-28-2010 at 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
With all these problems- why does Mexico threaten the media not to post "Security Alerts"? Don't they see it is many factors, not just the media? And once these thinly-disguised threats against the media and individuals hits CNN- they will have wished they never brought it up. No one wants to visit an freedom-oppressed country for vacation.

Yeah....I don't get it, Woooosh. How can Mexico threaten the US media? What are they going to threaten them with? If anything, it's the US media that is negligent for not bringing forth the news as it happens. This, to me, is felonious.
MyGawd...all Sandra Dibble has to do is read AFN and report what she reads. Or, is that part of the problem. Sandra "Baja is my beat" Dibble doesn't read Spanish. As it stands, The SDUT and their gal on the street are an embarrassment to the profession of journalism.

Bajahowodd - 1-28-2010 at 01:27 PM

bajajudy started this thread. She aptly notes that transpeninsular traffic is way down. However, Judy lives in the Los Cabos region. Although occupancy rates in that area are nowhere near historic highs, there's still considerable tourism which includes Mexican nationals, people from the US/ Canada and other nations. The vast majority of those tourists arrive by air. No foreigners arrive by air without a valid passport, although the tourist visa process is streamlined in that the airlines provide the form and include the fee in the cost of a ticket. And yet, in my opinion, there is still a major hassle factor. Think about how airfares have risen. Extra fees for such things as baggage and onboard food. Three hour pre-flight arrival. Security screening. I can't pinpoint exactly why road travel is down so much, while air travel not so much. But I do think Dennis makes a good point.

Woooosh - 1-28-2010 at 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

That's how I see it too. But this IS a third world country 40 years behind the USA. The fact they use bullying as their first tactic is pure desperation. They have to figure out what does and does not work to revive the tourist economy, but censorship and intimidation are not it. So far they are just shooting themselves in the feet and making matters worse.

Wait until Rick Sanchez at CNN gets at this... and I can assure you he is working on it- but the Obama address and Haiti have the media spotlight the next few days.

Dibble didn't care for my "Dibble prints Drivel" posting at all. I hope she steps up, but I think she has gone over to the dark side already.

Sharksbaja - 1-28-2010 at 02:30 PM

Judy points out the noticeable lack of visitors. Don't forget the "sheeple" factor. Kinda like a few anchovies w/o a school. :lol:

True it's a new world in many ways. We weren't thinking straight when some of us thought it was cute to rag on the masses of tourists et al 5-10 years ago hoping they would stay home, leaving Baja pure.

Well my friends, that has happened on top of all kinds of other nasty stuff and Ma Nature. Here are now with the dream come true..... no more stupid tourists, expats.... it's like the 60s again!!

OOPS wtf am I saying! I don't want hurt and harm to befall Baja and it's wonderful people. :no:

Where does it go from here? When, how will the sheep safely return to graze??

We will be back!

....baaaa.....baaaa....baaaaa?

arrowhead - 1-28-2010 at 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Dibble didn't care for my "Dibble prints Drivel" posting at all. I hope she steps up, but I think she has gone over to the dark side already.

Probably not. She probably doesn't post them because they don't have a broad appeal to the SDSU readership. These things are front-and-center in your lives because you live in it down there. It is not news to most Americans. As you can already tell by the lack of tourists in Baja, most everybody already knows about the crime problems in Mexico. In my opinion, it is certain Americans who moved to Baja and who fervently post rose-tinted, unrealistic assessments of the situation on Baja-related message boards who are the last to face the reality.

Cap - 1-28-2010 at 10:14 PM

I must admit that amidst my longing for a better economic situation, I have found a silver lining to the current situation...

Everywhere I go where the local economy is dependent upon expendable income, service providers seem to have a renewed "customer first" attitude.

From business owners down to the lowest employee on the totem pole, there seems to be real appreciation for patronage. I for one, welcome it.

I was used to getting catered to if I landed a thirsty kerosene burner, and disgourged a load of well heeled clientel. Now, I can expect the same treatment for simply stopping for lunch on a solo flight.
Restaraunts, Hotels, and entertainment providers appreciate the business and are letting it show.

Earlier in this post I read something about Mexico being 40 years behind. I agree. It is also one of the reasons I love it. And it certainly seems to be a popular sentiment on these pages. I get it that Corruption, bureacracy, global recession, and near criminal environmental policies are deteriorating a beautiful country. I guess the current situation has given me pause,and reminded me to appreciate the truly generous and enormously polite culture, the amazing natural beauty and availabilty of freedom,and isolation of one of the few great places left.

JESSE - 1-28-2010 at 10:27 PM

The season is totally weird. The 1st 15 days of January wich are usually slow, where fairly good, and the last 15 days of January, wich usually are good, have been slow. Why?

Who knows.

Woooosh - 1-28-2010 at 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by arrowhead

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Dibble didn't care for my "Dibble prints Drivel" posting at all. I hope she steps up, but I think she has gone over to the dark side already.

Yup, we can't expect the UT to replace the fearless Gringo Gazette when it came to taking on local problems. But if everyone already knows Americans are being carjacked in Rosarito, why does Mexico threaten news agencies and Sailing Clubs not to report any "security threats"?

It has broad appeal by default because Rosarito Beach WAS the spring break capital of the world. It is a tourist based and tourist dependent economy. They have a formal agenda to promote themselves as a tourist-safe destination and suppress those who do not share that view. Right now it is apparently dangerous for tourists (if the two recent carjackings are any indication).

You don't think potential tourists (and parents of spring breakers making plans already) would find that kind of information helpful in choosing their travel destination? I do. If it was Tecate or Mexicali, it would be different. Same with Juarez- sure it's the murder capital of the world right now- but Mexico isn't pushing those desitnations to tourists. JMHO though.

[Edited on 1-29-2010 by Woooosh]

fishbuck - 1-28-2010 at 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
The season is totally weird. The 1st 15 days of January wich are usually slow, where fairly good, and the last 15 days of January, wich usually are good, have been slow. Why?

Who knows.

Because El Teo and his men are in jail now?

JESSE - 1-28-2010 at 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck

Quote:

Because El Teo and his men are in jail now?

Those types of people don't go out for a nice dinner and wine.

fishbuck - 1-28-2010 at 11:25 PM

I know JESSE. I was seeing if I could get away with teasing you a little.
I know " No soup for you fishbuck!" :cool:

BajaWarrior - 1-29-2010 at 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KAT54
But is not this the reason we like baja?
Action?

No, not that much action...

Natalie Ann - 1-29-2010 at 12:23 PM

So Cap.... Sounds like we need to be among those who come to the aid of our beloved Baja. And if we're flyin' together, there's no need to worry about that thirsty kerosene burner disgourging a load of well heeled clientel.

Give me a call when POS is ready to fly. Already I have my toiletries packed. :lol:

nena

DENNIS - 1-29-2010 at 03:49 PM

Quote:

It's because the restaurant clientele is notoriously fickle. If anybody knew what they were going to do, they would be a millionaire. Just think of it, no waste or employees doing nothing except waiting. Just like McDonalds.

Sharksbaja - 1-29-2010 at 04:03 PM

:cool:

Spot on Jesse!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-29-2010 at 05:56 PM

bajaboy....If Mexico wants more tourists then it needs to become more tourist Provide a toll free number for people to lodge complaints against police (and actually investigate and prosecute corrput cops).

Hola, there was an agency created by then president fox called " SINDICATURA " but i am not sure it is still in existance. i still see quite a few sindicatura stickers on cars and pickups as i also have one as do many friends. they do have a website.

i am positive it works as once when i crossed in the late morning in tecate, the cops were pulling people over left and right but didn't even try and follow me. i did stop at all cross streets and signaled all my turns. same in loreto, a cop followed me and when he got close up, it is my belief that he saw the sindicatura sticker and just turned around as i wasn't breaking any laws.

there is a complaint form that you can send to the agency in tijuana and suppoosedly when an officer receives several complaints, he is investigated and fired.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

David K - 1-29-2010 at 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
bajaboy....If Mexico wants more tourists then it needs to become more tourist Provide a toll free number for people to lodge complaints against police (and actually investigate and prosecute corrput cops).

Hola, there was an agency created by then president fox called " SINDICATURA " but i am not sure it is still in existance. i still see quite a few sindicatura stickers on cars and pickups as i also have one as do many friends. they do have a website.

i am positive it works as once when i crossed in the late morning in tecate, the cops were pulling people over left and right but didn't even try and follow me. i did stop at all cross streets and signaled all my turns. same in loreto, a cop followed me and when he got close up, it is my belief that he saw the sindicatura sticker and just turned around as i wasn't breaking any laws.

there is a complaint form that you can send to the agency in tijuana and suppoosedly when an officer receives several complaints, he is investigated and fired.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT