BajaNomad

Tourism is up they say....What do you see?-

CasaManzana - 2-24-2012 at 06:18 AM

Mexico enjoys record arrivals despite decline in U.S. visits

By Gay Nagle Myers

Mexico’s international tourism numbers broke records in 2011 with nearly 22.7 million visitors. That represented a 2% jump over 2010 and a 0.2% increase over the previous high-water mark: 22.6 million visitors in 2008.

While the number of U.S. visitors fell by 3% last year, there were significant increases in visitors from Russia, China, Australia, the U.K., Brazil, France, Japan and Canada, said the Mexico Tourism Board.

“These figures clearly demonstrate that the bold diversification strategy we have implemented, promoting a broad tourism offering and targeting an expanded breed of global consumer, is succeeding,” said Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, COO of the Mexico Tourism Board.

Tourism officials also are confident that U.S. numbers will be strong in 2012, given the increases charted in the last quarter of 2011, which helped push the overall U.S. source market share from 14.1% to 15%.

The late surge kept Mexico in the top slot as the most popular international destination for U.S. visitors.

Bookings from the U.S. during the current winter season are also up over the same period a year ago, echoed by high occupancies reported by properties in the resort areas, officials said.

Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara referenced the economic recession in the U.S. as well as the collapse of Mexicana Airlines in August 2010 as “factors that influenced the behavior of 2011.”

The Mexico government had declared 2011 the Year of Tourism in an effort to bolster inbound and domestic travel and to counter the effects of headlines about drug-related violence that has plagued nontourist parts of the country since 2006.

A key focus for tourism officials this year is to capitalize on and celebrate the start of the new Mayan calendar in December, with specific promotions targeting the five states that comprise the Mayan World: Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, Chiapas and Yucatan.

That focus, combined with aggressive marketing campaigns and strong value-added promotions, are expected to drive numbers even higher.

“Building off an exceptionally strong 2011, we are confident that with programs such as Mundo Maya and the diversification strategy to promote Mexico as more than just a sun-and-beach destination, growth from and strength in the U.S. market will continue,” Guevara said.

That optimism was undiminished by a new travel warning for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department on Feb. 8, replacing the April 2011 advisory.

The wording this time was far more specific and the warnings more targeted than in the past. More importantly, Mexico’s top resort areas are considered safe for travel.

Following efforts to attract a more diverse range of visitors from targeted international markets, Mexico’s visitor increases break down as follows: Brazil was up 66%; Russia, 55%; China, 30%; Colombia, 23.2%; Italy, 13%; Australia, 13%; the U.K., 11.6%; France, 10%; Japan, 3%; and Canada, 7%.

Foreign tourists last year also spent 7% more money while visiting Mexico than a year earlier, averaging $158 per person, per day.

Hook - 2-24-2012 at 08:22 AM

Over here, I believe the numbers were down. And those that made their annual trek south from the northern cold climes, stayed for a shorter duration.

Completely unscientific, admittedly. Just personal observation.

SFandH - 2-24-2012 at 08:26 AM

I don't think the article pertains to baja which, except for Los Cabos, is mostly visited by RVers, driving an assortment of vehicles. My recent experience is that that type of tourism is still down, for a variety of reasons.

greengoes - 2-24-2012 at 08:29 AM

Not in Ensenada, saw less tourists this year than last. Maybe on the mainland it is up but not here.

shari - 2-24-2012 at 08:35 AM

those increases are likely in areas with international airports and destination resorts....probably not in Baja Sur anyway. In GN, whale operators report a large increase in national tourism...nearly at par with gringo visitors for whale watching which is a big shift in market...meaning the mexican promotions are paying off.

2011 was very very slow here but 2012 is picking up a bit over last year...less campers. Baja enthusiasts are still making the trek as they know that the peninsula is pretty safe in the areas they frequent but newbies are rare these days. I think people are afraid to drive but more likely to fly to an all inclusive resort....also completely unscientific and just my observation.

Virtually ALL our guests make the same comments about their friends and relatives saying they are crazy for coming to Baja and when I was in Canada everyone I told that I lived in Mexico said the same thing..."They're killing Canadians there arent they?" sheesh. It's gonna take awhile and some political changes to turn things around to gain the confidence of the populace....meanwhile, we have more time to go to the beach!!!:tumble::yes:

DENNIS - 2-24-2012 at 08:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by greengoes
Not in Ensenada, saw less tourists this year than last. Maybe on the mainland it is up but not here.


"Tourism is up" is a relative statement. Up from what?
Did'ja ever ask a Mexican businessman, "How's business?" He'll get a thousand yard stare in his eyes, shrugg his shoulders in that patented Mexican way, and say, "Ehh...so so," even when his new Lexus pickup is parked in front of the store.
Very secretive, this bunch.

Alan - 2-24-2012 at 09:17 AM

I drove down about a month ago and was very surprised to see that once you were away from the towns about 50% of the vehicles on the hwy had US or Canadian plates.

On a side note I came around a corner just above Catavina to find a semi half in my lane. No choice but to swerve to prevent a head-on but this dropped my boat trailer off the pavement with a 12-18" dropoff that broke the axles on the trailer. I got the trailer back up on the pavement but now it was fishtailing wildly behind me. I managed to keep my truck upright and on the pavement but at some time through all this the tiedowns on the boat ripped loose and my boat ended up on its top out in the desert and scattered all of my belongings. Still too painful to talk about other than to say that the family in the car behind me were from Catavina and witnessed the whole accident. They stopped to help. We got my trailer out of the roadway and unhitched and their wife went with me to Catavina to call for the police so I could make my report. Phone service was down but she contacted family members that had radios to call. We returned to the accident scene where my wife had stayed behind to watch our stuff.

My wife told me that the men from Catavina were awesome and prevented anyone from scavenging any of our belongings. She said that every single car with Mexicans stopped to see if we needed help yet not one single foreigner so much as even slowed down. Definitely a sign of the hysteria generated about Mexico and so sad to see.

The family from Catavina stayed with us for over 4 hours during which time the men broke out tools and helped me retrieve everything from radios, electronics and rod holders from the boat including everything that was stowed aboard and loaded it into the back of my truck.

DianaT - 2-24-2012 at 09:19 AM

Just an observation.

During our two trips to San Ignacio this year, there appeared to be more tourists there to see the whales---not as many as we have seen in the past, but more than the last couple of years.

The promotion of whale watching in Europe seems to be drawing at least some tourists. Besides the ones traveling in twos or fours in rented cars, there was one small Mexican tourist bus with a group of Germans. And it does not seem that easy to get to Baja from Europe.

Both the Germans and the Italians we joined with to whale watch told us about very long air flights with multiple stops! They all seemed to have the same agenda which was to visit all three of the lagoons. So that promotion is working with at least a few in Europe.

It is a long ways to come to see a whale, but as this woman from France told us a couple of years ago, it was very much worth it!

It was love at first sight!



On the other hand, we did not see many RVers. This year we have only seen two caravans.

[Edited on 2-24-2012 by DianaT]

DENNIS - 2-24-2012 at 10:29 AM

Anybody who feels that Baja/Mexico haven't lost the tourism lustre, just isn't paying attention to the world. Why is it that we constantly see these revelations as though they're new and recent discoveries?
The world has changed....tourism in Mexico has changed.......it will never go back to what they knew. Mexico has to make the adjustment Tourism already has.

Woooosh - 2-24-2012 at 10:36 AM

I'd say Mexican tourists to Baja Norte are up. I'd also go out on limb and say Mexican migration to Baja Norte from the Mainland is up. It is perceived as being more safe than Monterrey and Sonora for example. jm non-scientific observation

DENNIS - 2-24-2012 at 11:11 AM

Speaking of tourism in an unlikely place.....look at what Cuba has done. Usually we think of Cuba as old commies and older Chevrolets, but it seems a lot of folks around the world are drawn to the place.

Our state department doesn't want you to see this, but:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g147270-Cuba-Hotels.html

Hook - 2-24-2012 at 01:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Speaking of tourism in an unlikely place.....look at what Cuba has done. Usually we think of Cuba as old commies and older Chevrolets, but it seems a lot of folks around the world are drawn to the place.

Our state department doesn't want you to see this, but:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g147270-Cuba-Hotels.html


I expect those restrictions to be lifted during Obama's second term.

Yes, I said second term. Larry, Moe and Curley Joe would have a better chance against him; though I admit to the Stooge similarities in the 'Pubs candidates.

DENNIS - 2-24-2012 at 01:31 PM

Yeah....it was the Repub's race to lose and they've done a fine job of that.
Jeeezo....out of three hundred million people, this is the best they could do. These guys make Sarah Palin look good. [well..she always did look pretty good to my fantasies]

BajaBlanca - 2-24-2012 at 05:48 PM

Alan .......... holy smokes, lucky that God was not calling on you that day. Must have been beyond scary and how special that so many Mexicans stopped to check up on you guys ....Did the semi stop ?

BajaBlanca - 2-24-2012 at 05:52 PM

adn returning to the thread .... we saw so many tourists on the mainland when we were just there...we stopped by a 5 * resort in Cancun and I was just astounded - I kid you not - at the number of people in the pools and on the beach and in the bar and in the 4 different restaurants and just milling around. I commented to Les at the time " There is absolutely no sign of an economic crisis here at all."

Alan - 2-24-2012 at 06:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Alan .......... holy smokes, lucky that God was not calling on you that day. Must have been beyond scary and how special that so many Mexicans stopped to check up on you guys ....Did the semi stop ?
He was calling my name loud and clear for a while there but thankfully he changed His mind at the last moment and let me get my trailer and truck under control. :lol: No the semi didn't stop but I doubt if he even knew what he had caused because he immediately went into the turn I had just come out of and we luckily didn't make contact. The road is so narrow in so many areas that every passing situation between trucks or vehicles with trailers is always a "close call" so if you don't make contact you have to assume all is good. It is curves like this where you can't see ahead that's the prime concern I have with the increase in bicyclists on the road in recent years. Everybody tries to respect them on the road and waits patiently for an opportunity to pass. I have never once seen anyone even crowd them but there are just so many place where a car and a truck and a bike will all be clamoring for the same spot of real estate.

It was funny that at the start of the trip I had commented to my wife how great the road was because they have been putting in a ton of work adding shoulders to the road. It was just my bad luck that it simply wasn't there when I needed it.

It has ALWAYS been the norm that everyone stops to render aid along this highway. In years past it could even be intrusive if you were just making a pit stop :lol: It is only in recent years that I have seen foreigners too scared to stop.

A reply about that article from the mainland- FYI

CasaManzana - 2-24-2012 at 07:07 PM

We have a place in Zihuatanejo as well, just about Alcapulaco. A guy there who is VERY politically connected to the mayors office, and a real mover and shaker, posted this response to that article today-

"It's one thing to bolster tourism but another to try to bolster one's curriculum vitae with rosy statistics.

The hotel industry as well as most turisteros in Guerrero concur with my opinion of Gloria Guevara Manzo. We also hold the same opinion for the head of SEFOTUR in Guerrero, Graciela Báez Ricárdez. Both of them are political appointments with no real experience in the field and no knowledge of our tourism industry. They provide rosy numbers to justify their inflated salaries and to appear to be making progress when there is none so as to appear competent for other political appointments. When examined, their figures do not hold up to scrutiny. We go through this exercise regularly here in Zihuatanejo same as the folks in Acapulco do, always with the same results."

Woooosh - 2-24-2012 at 07:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CasaManzana
We have a place in Zihuatanejo as well, just about Alcapulaco. A guy there who is VERY politically connected to the mayors office, and a real mover and shaker, posted this response to that article today-

"It's one thing to bolster tourism but another to try to bolster one's curriculum vitae with rosy statistics.

The hotel industry as well as most turisteros in Guerrero concur with my opinion of Gloria Guevara Manzo. We also hold the same opinion for the head of SEFOTUR in Guerrero, Graciela Báez Ricárdez. Both of them are political appointments with no real experience in the field and no knowledge of our tourism industry. They provide rosy numbers to justify their inflated salaries and to appear to be making progress when there is none so as to appear competent for other political appointments. When examined, their figures do not hold up to scrutiny. We go through this exercise regularly here in Zihuatanejo same as the folks in Acapulco do, always with the same results."

Masked armed men stopped a tour bus in Puerto Vallarta and robbed the 22 Americans. That won't help things much...

http://diarioaxaca.com/policiaca/30-nacional/24646-despojan-...

22 Carnival Cruise Line Passengers on Shore Excursion Lose Their Belongings in Puerto Vallarta

"Mexico. - Approximately 22 American tourists were attacked by an armed group in Puerto Vallarta, police officials said. The incident occurred when the tourists were on a tour to see the attractions of the town "The Nogalito" towards the Mismaloya area aboard a special truck, when masked men forced the driver to stop the vehicle. Subsequently, according to a report, the subjects got into the truck and took the money and valuables of the 22 foreigners, managing to flee. In response, police officers and other municipal corporations cordoned off the area to no avail. Given these facts, the municipal authorities offered support to the victims, while business went on the alert, since this situation came just a few weeks of Tourism Tianguis in place."

[Edited on 2-25-2012 by Woooosh]

dtutko1 - 2-25-2012 at 08:36 AM

I've seen 2 RV caravans w/6 rigs this winter. Restaurants and hotels are mostly empty here. Plenty of cruise ships in and out of Cabo though. I can't even friend someone to fish w/Mateo with. Things are slow indeed and i like it. But I feel bad for the local businesses.

DianaT - 2-25-2012 at 01:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
adn returning to the thread .... we saw so many tourists on the mainland when we were just there...we stopped by a 5 * resort in Cancun and I was just astounded - I kid you not - at the number of people in the pools and on the beach and in the bar and in the 4 different restaurants and just milling around. I commented to Les at the time " There is absolutely no sign of an economic crisis here at all."


It seems that Cancun has always been a rather inexpensive place with great package deals for Europeans. We have met several over the years who actually booked the deals and then left their luggage in their Cancun room while they wandered around the Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala, etc.,

Blanca, how has your business been this year in comparison to other years?

Woooosh - 2-25-2012 at 03:51 PM

With the continued problems with mainland cruise port cities like Mazatlan, Acapulco and yesterday in Puerto Vallarta (where 20 cruise passengers were robbed during a shore excursion) - perhaps better days are ahead for the Baja Ports of Call? Is there any talk of cruise lines expanding Baja cruises or is the profit point too low for more than what they run to Baja now? Everyone loved to hate them years ago, but now we would loved to see them back.

Alan - 2-25-2012 at 05:24 PM

There was talk last year about an increase of the smaller cruise ships starting to make stops in La Paz but I haven't seen any since the Blues Cruise stopped last Oct and put on an awesome afternoon concert.

Bajahowodd - 2-25-2012 at 05:35 PM

That PV incident really does not bode well for increasing Mexico tourism.

As noted by Blanca, Cancun has been doing OK. As has Cabo. A note for Blanca- total tourism in Cancun is far below historic peaks, as it is in Cabo. But, they appear to be the remaining destinations that have considerable business. Mostly due to the mega resorts, the time shares and the all-inclusives.

As for the cruises, just recently the Disney folks announced they were ending their Mexican cruise from LA later this year.
Given the immense costs to take a cruise, these providers are super sensitive to local conditions.

Personally, I wouldn't have a second thought about visiting PV, but it's amazing what a bit of bad press can do.

Cozumel

mcfez - 2-26-2012 at 08:12 AM

We spend part of every year in Cozumel and have for nearly 20 years. You couldn't be in a safer place. The local people are cool...... and kind and honest. There has been no drug violence on the island. That mostly happens on the border towns on the west coast and is always drug related. The one time drug dealers tried to set up shop on Cozumel a few years ago, the locals "gift wrapped" them in their car and put them on the ferry back to the mainland with the full cooperation of the local authorities. You would be safe walking around anywhere on the island at any hour of the day or night.

Burbs - 2-26-2012 at 12:35 PM

Tourism figures should be compared to five years ago, not one year. Five years past we would have close to 50 days scheduled with the caravans. They consisted of 18-23 rigs. They would stay 1-2-3 nights. Have at least one group dinner here per stay. The companies Tracks, Fantasy and Tracks to Adventure would be fighting over the days. Last year there were five days, but only 6-10 rigs per group and no dinners to serve. Nearly every day people would be asking for rentals. Kayaks rented nearly every day. I thought it would never end. It has ended, this year not one day. Regular business is 25% compared to four years ago. Also, many more are ordering a meal and splitting it. This did not happen so much before. The beach vendors are crying the blues too! One can tell when they have had a good day because the vendors would meet here and gamble playing pool and drink cold beers and soda's. Not anymore. Beach campers in the Mulege area seem to have arrived later and are leaving earlier

We live right on the Hwy #1 and there is little traffic. Mostly big trucks hauling goods to La Paz and Cabo. "Love them J-Brakes"! Easter will bring some spending, but those holidays are more of a camping holiday with women cooking for their families and the guys drinking their store bought drinks. Other patrons are not tourists, but people who live here in the Baja and they don't spend as much. One of our rentals has a kitchen and this is a big attraction for the rental when it rents because more are wanting to cook their own. There just isn't enough disposable income for people to spend like they were.

We have not raised prices in almost 5 years, but this makes little difference. I have other factors to consider for loss of business, but the tourism really sucks now when it could be good.

I fear that I will end up like one of those tienda's way out there. You know the kind where the guy is sleeping and the chickens are all about the store. It is happening here! Just need to get some chickens!

On the bright side it can be a good time to get good value for your dollar if you are visiting. Hotel and rental prices are about 50-60% of what they were and food prices are a value also. Still, Mexico needs customers. Manana is another day.

vgabndo - 2-26-2012 at 04:09 PM

Burbs...just speaking for myself. Nothing could keep me from driving to Baja and spending all my extra money, I did it for years. I know how to get past the frontera and I'll trust my judgement to get me to safer points south. The cartels don't have much of anything to do with my thinking.

Unfortunately, my companeros have created an economic "imbalance" of some sort, and my fixed income and constantly growing $1,000 per month mordida to the Insurance Cartels, coupled with insanity like the little metal PART in my wife's knee surgery costing $45,000.00 have left us with little opportunity to buy $4.00 diesel, OR do the required maintenance on the truck. I'm sorry you're going broke.........too.
:fire:

BajaBlanca - 2-27-2012 at 09:21 AM

Diana - we seem to be growing year after year ... and the fishing ain't anything to write home about !! people come to birdwatch in the lagoon, people come to hang out with Joaquin and Juanchys and esp eat lobster at the Cactus Restaurant. people come to fish for the fun of fishing (not catching !!). people come to get in some R & R. while watching the surf and having coctails on the front porch. a lot of folks come from Bola and Mulege and Loreto and Chivato for a change of pace.

tour folk's

captkw - 2-27-2012 at 09:43 AM

I can tell you 19 out of 20 people I meet (gringo's),, are from vancouver or B.C. canada and I meet a lot of folk's each day,,being a have a lil tasha (dog) strutting her shades and I alway's ask where folk's are from and this is the year of the CUNUK,,great folk's !! K&T:cool:

baja1943 - 2-27-2012 at 12:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
We spend part of every year in Cozumel and have for nearly 20 years. You couldn't be in a safer place. The local people are cool...... and kind and honest. There has been no drug violence on the island. That mostly happens on the border towns on the west coast and is always drug related. The one time drug dealers tried to set up shop on Cozumel a few years ago, the locals "gift wrapped" them in their car and put them on the ferry back to the mainland with the full cooperation of the local authorities. You would be safe walking around anywhere on the island at any hour of the day or night.
How much time do you spend there every year?