BajaNomad - Tracks Suspends Mexico Tours

Tracks Suspends Mexico Tours

noproblemo2 - 4-13-2010 at 12:44 PM

Increased violence in Mexico has resulted in the U.S. Department of State to issue a more stringent travel warning for the Mexican states of Durango, Coahuila, and Chihuahua as of March 14, 2010. In consideration of this travel warning and for the safety of our clientele, Tracks to Adventure is canceling all scheduled Mexico tours until further notice. Deposits paid by holders of reservations for Mexico tours will be refunded in full.

Tracks has been and will continue to monitor the situation, and if improvement in the security situation in the Republic of Mexico improves significantly, the company will consider resumption of its Mexico tour operations.

Tracks offers many other RV tours to the United States, Canada, Alaska, and overseas.

For more information, call (800) 351-6053 or visit www.tracksrvtours.com.

Woooosh - 4-13-2010 at 12:47 PM

The U.S. Dept of State updated the travel alert yesterday, so Tracks used the old one. The new alert is a little harsher- but that's besides the point.

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by Woooosh]

JESSE - 4-13-2010 at 01:10 PM

Why cancel all of their tours? sounds like they are not doing very good and are trying to use the security issue as a way of cutting back their operations.

Barry A. - 4-13-2010 at 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
Why cancel all of their tours? sounds like they are not doing very good and are trying to use the security issue as a way of cutting back their operations.

-------probably both, Jesse--------few may be signing up for the tours, and the liability in the face of the publicity is just too risky, in their or their lawyers view.

Makes sense to me, and probably a good business decision.

Barry

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2010 at 01:16 PM

Much of their Mexico business was Copper Canyon related. But they also did Baja.

JESSE - 4-13-2010 at 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Much of their Mexico business was Copper Canyon related. But they also did Baja.

Oh yeah, copper canyon=chihuahua, i woudn't even go there these days.

DENNIS - 4-13-2010 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Oh yeah, copper canyon=chihuahua, i woudn't even go there these days.

Nomad BigMike and Mrs. BigMike are over there right now doing the Canyon tour. This is after I gave him the book, "Gods Middle Finger," to read.

http://tinyurl.com/y67zdgz

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by DENNIS]

DianaT - 4-13-2010 at 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Much of their Mexico business was Copper Canyon related. But they also did Baja.

It has been about 4 years since we drove to Copper Canyon, and at that time we still saw the big RVs on the flat train cars. But I thought I read that they discontinued taking the RVs on the train?? If that is so, that would certainly change how they do business.

vandenberg - 4-13-2010 at 02:04 PM

Well, we're in Guadalajara right now and noticed that there are very few Americans or Canadians here, compared to 8 years ago, the last time we visited here. On yesterdays tour to Tequila, we were the only Gringos. Rest of the group were from Argentina, Spain and other parts of Mexico. Tomorrow we will be on the way to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and will report on the Norte Americano tourists we'll encounter. And finally, about everything is half price compared to Baja. :no:

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by vandenberg]

DianaT - 4-13-2010 at 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Well, we're in Guadalajara right now and noticed that there are very few Americans or Canadians here, compared to 8 years ago, the last time we visited here. On yesterdays tour to Tequila, we were the only Gringos. Rest of the group were from Argentina, Spain and other parts of Mexico. Tomorrow we will be on the way to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and will report on the Norte Americano tourists we'll encounter. And finally, about everything is half price compared to Baja. :no:

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by vandenberg]

You will probably find no shortage of gringos downtown San Miquel Allende----lot of them live there.

Guanajuato, is one of my very favorite cities ---really beautiful. If you are driving, I would suggest you drive the circle that takes you high in the mountains about Guanajuato. It is a beautiful drive and there are a number of places to visit, like Deloras Hidalgo. Also, outside of Pozos there are some very interesting ruins from old very large Haciendas---it was a good dirt road a few years ago.

Have a great time----

irenemm - 4-13-2010 at 02:14 PM

Up until 2 years ago Tracks would have 23 dates with us. The most of any of the Caravan Co. out there. That would be Baja Caravans and from the Mainland also coming up the Baja. Last year they had a few with us still. This year they could not fill enough so they did cancel with us.
The Tracks Co. has always been good to the economy of Mexico. I am sure in the future they will come back when it is safer sell to the public.
Those of us who have lived from the tourist know they are not the only ones not coming to Baja or Mexico. most of the tourist on the Baja this year have been Canadians not so much from the U.S.
I hope and look forward to the day the public including my family will come back to the Baja.
It is going to take a few years for that to happen. Those of us here know it is not all that the news cracks it up to be.

JESSE - 4-13-2010 at 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
And finally, about everything is half price compared to Baja. :no:

Because its half as special my friend

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2010 at 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
And finally, about everything is half price compared to Baja. :no:

Because its half as special my friend

Nice sentiment, Jesse. However, I do believe that at least a couple of the reasons for higher prices in Baja are the fact that many goods must be shipped over from the mainland, and back in the day, when the peninsula was sparsely settled, the early tourists just happened to be rich Hollywood types.

DENNIS - 4-13-2010 at 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
about everything is half price compared to Baja.

Ed.......What about gas prices over there. Are they close to Baja prices?

vandenberg - 4-13-2010 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Ed.......What about gas prices over there. Are they close to Baja prices?

Get the car tomorrow and will let you know after I get gas.
Getting a VW pointer. Never heard of it. Anybody :?:

Will we survive a 10 day trip. :?:

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2010 at 04:05 PM

Dennis- Does not Pemex have universal pricing, with the exception of the immediate border region?

And, Ed, I'm jealous. It's been years since we've traveled the mainland. Re: the VW Pointer. It's basically a Ford Escort. VW and Ford had a joint venture and built a bunch of them in Brazil. And also in Wolfsburg. I don't think they are making them anymore.

toneart - 4-13-2010 at 04:08 PM

Quote:

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by vandenberg]

Ed,
I am especially interested in your report from San Miguel de Allende. I lived there in the early '80s. Played jazz in Mama Mia's. Look for Salomon..alto sax player, and Bobby Kapp...drummer and singer. They were still there when i revisited a few years ago. Say hi from the trumpet player, Tony. Be sure to see The Instituto, a world class art institute. Also say hi to Senorita B.......Oh, never mind...she's probably not waiting for me any more. :no:

Tony

DENNIS - 4-13-2010 at 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg

Getting a VW pointer. Never heard of it. Anybody :?:

All reports I've read say it's a dog. hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahaha
gaaawdaaaam...I just crack myself up. ahahahahahahahaha

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2010 at 04:37 PM

Gives a new meaning to self-entertain! :lol:

DENNIS - 4-13-2010 at 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Dennis- Does not Pemex have universal pricing, with the exception of the immediate border region?

I don't know. They quit explaining things to me after I complained about a dirty restroom. hahahahahahahahaha...I'm on a roll...hahahahaha

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by DENNIS]

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2010 at 04:37 PM

Two Jews walk into a bar............

DENNIS - 4-13-2010 at 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Two Jews walk into a bar............

Oh yeah...one of them Mog and David Guadalupe Valley jokes. hahahahahahahha...oh well.....

longlegsinlapaz - 4-13-2010 at 06:24 PM

Van, I believe a Pointer might be just a tad smaller than the vehicle that carried you in luxury to the airport. :biggrin:

If that car out front doesn't sell soon, I'm cutting the price in half! :lol:

CaboRon - 4-14-2010 at 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by irenemm
Up until 2 years ago Tracks would have 23 dates with us. The most of any of the Caravan Co. out there. That would be Baja Caravans and from the Mainland also coming up the Baja. Last year they had a few with us still. This year they could not fill enough so they did cancel with us.
The Tracks Co. has always been good to the economy of Mexico. I am sure in the future they will come back when it is safer sell to the public.
Those of us who have lived from the tourist know they are not the only ones not coming to Baja or Mexico. most of the tourist on the Baja this year have been Canadians not so much from the U.S.
I hope and look forward to the day the public including my family will come back to the Baja.
It is going to take a few years for that to happen. Those of us here know it is not all that the news cracks it up to be.

What or Who are us :?:

Hook - 4-14-2010 at 07:42 AM

Why would a company use security issues in Mexico as an "excuse" to cancel their tours (WITH full refunds, I might add) when they continue to operate tours in other countries?

They wouldn't. This isn't some face-saving effort as they are probably the largest company doing these types of tours. They are well known.

This is all about the security concerns and probably insurance issues that kick in with a certain level of security warnings.

It really gets tiresome; this rose-colored-glasses approach by persons with vested interests in Mexico.

HELLO!!! MEXICO HAS SECURITY ISSUES !!!!!!

It's not possible to simply transport the caravan past the dangerous areas and then stay only in the safe areas.

durrelllrobert - 4-14-2010 at 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by noproblemo2
Increased violence in Mexico has resulted in the U.S. Department of State to issue a more stringent travel warning for the Mexican states of Durango, Coahuila, and Chihuahua as of March 14, 2010.

and yet the same U.S. Department of State has scheduled my Canadian wife's U.S. Visa interview for Cuidad Juarez :fire:

noproblemo2 - 4-14-2010 at 09:07 AM

Quote:

and yet the same U.S. Department of State has scheduled my Canadian wife's U.S. Visa interview for Cuidad Juarez :fire:

Might want to call ahead and make sure someone will even be there, but then who ever said they make sense......

rob - 4-14-2010 at 09:36 AM

Batopilas, at the bottom of one of the canyons, is a beautiful, tranquil little place with FAR too many brand new trucks, some complete with bullet holes. I was told most were stolen in Texas.

You are completely free to go wandering around the local mountains - BUT YOU GO WITH A LOCAL GUIDE, who presumably knows where not to go.

Different world.

Barry A. - 4-14-2010 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rob
Batopilas, at the bottom of one of the canyons, is a beautiful, tranquil little place with FAR too many brand new trucks, some complete with bullet holes. I was told most were stolen in Texas.

You are completely free to go wandering around the local mountains - BUT YOU GO WITH A LOCAL GUIDE, who presumably knows where not to go.

Different world.

We were there about 9 years ago, and noticed the same thing. One other canyon-bottom community in the "Copper Canyon" complex also had a nerve-racking amount of incredibly new fancy pickups which totally looked out of place--------we certainly suspected the same thing was financing them.

Spooky!!!!! for sure, especially for an ex-cop like me.

Barry

DENNIS - 4-14-2010 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

They don't have to steal the trucks. They buy them with their hard earned cash. The Canyon is one of the largest dope growing areas in Mexico.
I mentioned above a book, "Gods Middle Finger." Its about the economy of the region, if it can be called that. It also mentions that a man there will shoot you just to see if his gun is working.
One more point in the book I thought interesting....The growers are powerful and pay for cooperation from the authorities, including the military. They want to set their kids up in business in the future and they have the vision to see that dope growing is not a safe choice.
With that in mind, about the only thing left around there is tourism so they leave that industry alone as long as the tours are under control.

Here's a link to that book again. I recommend it for a good primer on the area.

http://tinyurl.com/y67zdgz

.

Baja&Back - 4-14-2010 at 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noproblemo2
Tracks offers many other RV tours to the United States, Canada, Alaska, and overseas.

For more information, call (800) 351-6053 or visit www.tracksrvtours.com.

Hmmmm. Wonder when Doug is going to spot that advertising??
Can we post our website too??? Huh, huh???
:lol:

A different, not-to-be-named large tour outfit cancelled on one of the guests who signed up with us in December. The company's excuse was that the SEPTEMBER hurricane damaged Baja so badly that the peninsula would not recover for years, and that Mex 1 would be impassable until spring. Made it sound worse than Haiti.

DianaT - 4-14-2010 at 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja&Back

Quote:

Originally posted by noproblemo2
Tracks offers many other RV tours to the United States, Canada, Alaska, and overseas.

For more information, call (800) 351-6053 or visit www.tracksrvtours.com.

Hmmmm. Wonder when Doug is going to spot that advertising??
Can we post our website too??? Huh, huh???
:lol:

Their information is so good---not passable? :rolleyes:

Oh well, maybe it is good for your business.

Why isn't a link to your website in your signature? Common thing and good thing.

Baja&Back - 4-14-2010 at 09:20 PM

Hi, Diane. I thot Doug didn't allow advertising under Board Rule 2.
I'll check that out with him.
Thanks.

DianaT - 4-14-2010 at 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja&Back
Hi, Diane. I thot Doug didn't allow advertising under Board Rule 2.
I'll check that out with him.
Thanks.

Look at the signature for a number of people---it seems to not be a hard and fast rule.

Hook - 4-14-2010 at 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja&Back
Hi, Diane. I thot Doug didn't allow advertising under Board Rule 2.

irenemm - 4-14-2010 at 11:57 PM

Cabo Ron
Posada Don Diego
R.V.park Restaurant-Bar-Motel
Vicente Guerrero, Baja
opened in1970 this is year 40 for this business.
we purchased in 1979