AZ Republic whitewashes fed’s Mexico travel warnings

The Arizona Republic newspaper, worried that the U.S. State Department’s travel warnings and bans regarding travel to Mexico will negatively impact its favored nation, especially as spring break approaches, counters with a statement from the Mexico Tourism Board.

The Board issued a blasé understatement acknowledging the U.S.’s right to warn travelers, though calling the State Department warning “counterproductive” saying “Playa del Carmen (Cozumel) is safe for travelers“— other than a recent ferry explosion, injuring 25 people.

Seriously.

Days ago, Mexican law enforcement officers located undetonated explosive devices on another tourist ferry.

“Messages like this, which imply safety issues without any basis in fact, are counterproductive to the goal of informing and educating travelers to Mexico and we strongly disagree with both this approach and the contents of this security message,” the Mexico Tourism Board announced. “Playa del Carmen is the largest destination in the Riviera Maya, and is surrounded by beautiful caves and pristine cenotes, eco parks like Xcaret, wonderful resorts, beach clubs, boutique hotels, and trendy shops with international brands.”

The statement published in the online version of the newspaper, is followed by a photo tour of “Beautiful Mexico.” 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. is more forthright, reporting that tourists to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico suspect they were given tainted alcohol. The State Department has issued similar warnings.

If you still have travel concerns, this quote from Eric Olson who is employed promoting Mexican “migration and migrants,“ acknowledging “it’s a little bit hot now,” should put your mind at ease:

“It’s also important to underscore that none of the statements from the State Department suggested that people from the U.S. are being targeted specifically, like they may be in Afghanistan or Iraq.” 

How many Americans would find the favorable comparisons to global war zones comforting enough to allow their kids to make Mexico a spring break destination or plan a getaway for themselves?