Mexico - Is it Safe?? How Many more people have to die??

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salsera

Felipe Calderon has been President for only a few months. Give him time to do his job. Right now, it's one man vs. the drug cartel and the very corrupt police. Much of this is drug related. Unfortunately, the USA is their biggest customer. If the drugs stop being funneled into other countries, it would no longer be profitable for the meth labs to be manufacturing this poison and selling it.

HECTOR G

Yeah... just like little kids being kindnapped in Portugal. Nobody should go to Portugal.

Or kids dying in a ride in Orlando. Nobody should go to Florida.

Or maybe going to a place with constant threat of terrorist attacks is awful too. Nobody should go to USA.

All generalizations are wrong, incluiding this one.

Lolalola

People die in every single country of this planet, for a person with a career in travel agency you're very short sighted.

Ram

It's sad that all these unfortunate events are taking place, but it's even sadder to see that people are so close-minded about reality, about traveling and about death. I think these type of naive travelers should stay away from everything, including their own city centers... geez...

Riegan

i am a travel agent in canada as well. i will educate my client's and let them decide for themselves. mexico is much safer than many different destinations

Mesja

How stupid are you. Mexico is a worldwide tourist destination and we work very hard to make everybody feel like home. We have a taste for everybody, the young, the hip, the elders...5 Canadian dead is terrible but that does not qualify to ban this country as "dangerous" and "unfit" for travel.

You are incredibly ignorant, please don`t come to my country to poison it with your stupidity, don`t come at all until you understand how the world works. If your clients are as stupid as you are, please! do us all a favor and keep yourselfs withing the walls of your own ignorancy, it is way safer for the rest of us to know you are having the decency of staying in Canada where surely there is no crime at all.

You should be ashamed of yourself for posting such a narrow-minded question, so here is a little pickle for you: How bad are Mexicans being treated in Canada for 18hour labor that you lazy ***** are unable to perform??

Karen

I worked in a travel agency too. And let me tell you that your doing a horrible job. There's danger all around the world, even in your home town, you cant generalize that Canadians are dying in Mexico I don't think murderer's ask their Id before to make sure they are Canadians so they can kill them right? Mexico its probably dangerous place people who travel there should be care full like in any other country... I Have been robe in Cuba and France
Soo please .......

Cabochick23

You of all people (work for a travel agent) should know better than make generalizations like that. Shame on you. Your boss should fire you.

declanshannon1

I have travelled to several countries in Europe including Germany, Austria, England to name a few. Been to Asia. Every country has its problem especially big city problems.

Do you think South Side Chicago is safe for non blacks?. What about NY City?. Personally, having lived and worked in Mexico for over 2 years, I can tell you that things are done slightly different in Mexico. There is a lot of bribery.

And Mexico City is dangerous especially at night, I would not even try walking around the city unless its with 20 other guys. But at the same time, i do avoid problems by not looking for them.

You can try to ban all travel to Mexico, ban all Mexicans from entering the US and Canada but ultimately, people will want to travel and see the world and not be so narrow sighted.

Yes Mexico is less safe than some countries in the world and compared to Canada or US but as everyone knows, every city has its problems. I have been to Toronto numerous times (since I work for a Canadian company) and I can tell you some spots, you don't go at night.

mexpost

Hi!

PR is a dangerous thing, just take a look at this as you plan alternate destinations for your customers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turistas

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070111/deprisco_feedback_email_070111/20070115?hub=TorontoHome&pr=4

I am really sorry you were pushed to make this decision. Your question has hit a very sore spot, because Mexico depends on Tourism dollars (besides money sent home from overseas workers and petroleum), and if everyone thinks this way, the country will face a crisis. And most Mexicans really are curious in a positive way about tourists!

Luckily they don't all think like this. Please give us a second chance - but I'm sure some conservative ones do worry. You are absolutely right in worrying about the security of clients,after all it is their money. But five deaths - sadly some violent and questionable or suspiciously corrupt - is actually not such a bad statistic when you look at the world security situation now, considering over 1,000,000 Canadians visit Mexico annually. We are probably the safest per capita destination Canada has.

I bet most of these 5 Canadians were basically innocent, maybe having been drunk walking around at 3:00am alone or something like that.

Mexico is not a paradise any more than Curacao, Venezuela or Hawai'i or your other favorite vacation spot. But its population is a welcoming warmhearted bunch. Corruption in government is rampant as well as violations when it counts with human rights. The President really is powerless to make great strides (he can make only little ones). But these violations are rarely seen by tourists - it is our local situation almost exclusively.

I don't think you are wrong to worry, and I am very sad that the overall security in Mexico has degenerated somewhat. This is all over the news locally and the population isn't going to let the corrupt officials get away with it anymore.

So let me suggest, that instead of blacklisting Mexico, you take a different approach. Learn a little more about Mexico and just make a list of where the incidents are happening. Blacklist the resort until it provides an acceptable account. The country is big and so beautiful and has nothing to do with isolated incidents. It is also such a great deal that your customers will be missing out on a relatively safe adventure into a great culture that has rebounded with incredible resiliance despite being beaten, tricked, and raped into submission by corrupt carpetbaggers for 500 years.

I live in Monterrey. Here in this 2nd or third largest city a girl can walk down the downtown street at 3:00am and if she behaves normally, there is virtually no risk at all. Can you say that about your nearest big city? Just learn about the destination and your clients will have more choices and be that much more prepared. 1) In Mexico City take cabs only from sitios if in doubt; 2)Don't buy drugs; 3) Don't walk around alone looking rich but drunk as a skunk at 3:00am; 4) Always carry liability insurance when driving; 5) If involved in a physical altercation, never promote violence, no mater who started it...never...the law is different; 6) If a woman tries to get physical with you in any way (for men) you do not welcome, run, run! Don't explain just disappear. No one will ever believe you,and even if they do you will get in trouble. 7) Never disrespect people for being poor. Most haven't been given the opportunity Northamericans have by no fault of their own and they really don't understand a culture where poor people are associated with anything unworthy. If you don't want to give a beggar money, just say, "not today" and smile onward. Just remember, if she was an old lady, you really might be her only hope. 8) Avoid getting into any contentious legal situation is you can pay a small amount (money or pride) to walk away from it. This is so important and so incredibly easy. Mexico is not the place to take a moral stand. Maybe in 25 years, not now. 9) Don't go to the most isolated places with no law enforcement and expect everyone to be good there (Chihuahuan desert, Mountains of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Michoacan). If you have special reason - travel in groups.

These things virtually guarantee you will not become a statistic. And before you worry too much of my recommendations, let me say that in the last 10 years, I have rarely had to practice what I am preaching, so itis important to realize that they are only smart guidelines for the risk-adverse. None are unreasonable and I suspect that in Canada most people would never do some of the foolish things they do in Mexico, and usually get away with them.

Good luck and Mexico welcomes you back. My heart goes out to all people who have been injured. Mexico is an excellent destination for the security conscious. If you are more brazen, try Brazil...or if you enjoy challenging life in Paradise, Colombia.

Hope this helps, and Good Luck!

ratbagski

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**Mishelly**

Well Youre a travel agent that dosnt want to make any money?? If you tell your customers and actually have KNOWLEDGE about Mexico you wouldnt make such ignorant remarks. In this case we shouldnt travel anywhere! Whenever you travel or even get in your car you take risks...Its called life..If its your time its gonna happen no matter what....If there is anything that should be banned it should be your agency for letting you work there..Do yourself a favor and open a book and learn something and stop looking at all the negative~

mar

The country of Mexico is a safe place. The city of Mexico (which happens to be the capitol of the Country) is the one everybody is warned about. It is an overpopulated city and like many other big cities around the World has its problems. Now if we talk about the Country of Mexico there are many many beautiful places to visit and enjoy and feel secure. Look at Yucatan and Quintana Roo for instance. Yucatan ranks high when it come to a more peaceful and secure area. Quintana Roo is a touristic place and many people from around the world visit it every day. There are many more beautiful and safe places in Mexico too.

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