Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MEXICO926
2009-03-27 21:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:
MEXICO TOURISM VISITORS UP BUT RECEIPTS TUMBLE IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2677 RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM DE RUEHME #0926 0862147 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 272147Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5879 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MEXICO 000926
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4320/ITA/MAC/WH/ONAFTA/GWORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD EAIR MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO TOURISM VISITORS UP BUT RECEIPTS TUMBLE IN
JANUARY
UNCLAS MEXICO 000926
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4320/ITA/MAC/WH/ONAFTA/GWORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD EAIR MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO TOURISM VISITORS UP BUT RECEIPTS TUMBLE IN
JANUARY
1. While the number of visitors was actually up 6% in
January 2009, the government recorded MexicoQs sharpest
monthly fall in international tourism revenue in 15 years.
Banxico data indicates a 7.5% decrease against January
2008. The drop is more severe than the decline registered
after either the September 11 attacks in 2001 or Hurricane
Wilma, which struck Quintana Roo state in 2006. Per
visitor spending was down 4.6%, with the sharpest per
visitor decline at the border (15.2% for border region
travelers).
2. On the bright side, reduced revenue has not amounted to
fewer international visitors. Tourist arrivals were
actually up 6% in 2008 over 2007, to 22.6 million. The
January 2009 number, 2 million international arrivals, is
an improvement on the year prior. The Secretariat of
Tourism is touting this as good news, applauding Qfavorable
numbersQ and vowing to reinforce its marketing campaign.
3. For those tourists traveling and spending in Mexico,
they seem happy with the airports they frequent. MexicoQs
two busiest airports -- Mexico City and Cancun -- both rank
among Latin AmericaQs top five in passenger satisfaction,
according to survey results released by industry group
Airports Council International. The Airport Service
Quality Survey measured user satisfaction with over 30
aspects of service at each facility.
4. COMMENT: Three interlocking factors appear to drive
the revenue decline. Fear of drug violence, widely
reported in the U.S. press, has kept an undetermined number
of travelers away. The economic downturn encourages
tighter wallets among those who do decide to travel. And
the 40% deterioration in the value of the peso since autumn
2008, while making vacation in Mexico a relative bargain,
means receipts accounted in dollars are below trend.
BASSETT
SIPDIS
USDOC FOR 4320/ITA/MAC/WH/ONAFTA/GWORD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD EAIR MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO TOURISM VISITORS UP BUT RECEIPTS TUMBLE IN
JANUARY
1. While the number of visitors was actually up 6% in
January 2009, the government recorded MexicoQs sharpest
monthly fall in international tourism revenue in 15 years.
Banxico data indicates a 7.5% decrease against January
2008. The drop is more severe than the decline registered
after either the September 11 attacks in 2001 or Hurricane
Wilma, which struck Quintana Roo state in 2006. Per
visitor spending was down 4.6%, with the sharpest per
visitor decline at the border (15.2% for border region
travelers).
2. On the bright side, reduced revenue has not amounted to
fewer international visitors. Tourist arrivals were
actually up 6% in 2008 over 2007, to 22.6 million. The
January 2009 number, 2 million international arrivals, is
an improvement on the year prior. The Secretariat of
Tourism is touting this as good news, applauding Qfavorable
numbersQ and vowing to reinforce its marketing campaign.
3. For those tourists traveling and spending in Mexico,
they seem happy with the airports they frequent. MexicoQs
two busiest airports -- Mexico City and Cancun -- both rank
among Latin AmericaQs top five in passenger satisfaction,
according to survey results released by industry group
Airports Council International. The Airport Service
Quality Survey measured user satisfaction with over 30
aspects of service at each facility.
4. COMMENT: Three interlocking factors appear to drive
the revenue decline. Fear of drug violence, widely
reported in the U.S. press, has kept an undetermined number
of travelers away. The economic downturn encourages
tighter wallets among those who do decide to travel. And
the 40% deterioration in the value of the peso since autumn
2008, while making vacation in Mexico a relative bargain,
means receipts accounted in dollars are below trend.
BASSETT