“The policies of discredit and sabotage translated into the insecurity alerts for the Mexican state of Quintana Roo issued by the US State Department, have negatively impacted in the number of tourists coming to the region from that country in the last 12 months, while during the same period of time, the arrival of visitors from other parts of the world grew three percent”, stated the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo (CPTQ).
The president of that agency, Darío Flota Ocampo, declared that these alerts issued by the US authorities are part of a strategy to discredit the country, which obviously impacts the perception of the general public in the US.
In a press conference, Flota Ocampo acknowledged that the figures of North American visitors to the destinations of the Mexican Caribbean in the last year, have dropped in 60 thousand people.
The official indicated that the CPTQ is still strongly promoting Quintana Roo at national and international levels, making special emphasis in the matter of public security, to generate confidence among travelers.
“Quintana Roo has registered an increase in the number of national visitors, as well as from countries like Colombia, Spain and European nations. However, a decrease is observed in the US market, which has recorded a two percent reduction for the first time in many years, “he said.
Flota Ocampo added that three thousand agents of the Military Police, have arrived in Quintana Roo to be integrated as part of the National Guard, in addition to reinforcing security measures in the main cities of the State, with metal detectors and other types of technology that allow identification of vehicle plates and face recognition.
The President of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo concluded saying that these measures are already reducing crime rates in the cities of Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from SIPSE
