Mexico Falls From Top Ten International Tourist Destinations; Perception Of Insecurity Keeps US Tourists Away

Mexico has fallen from the top ten most visited international tourist destinations, according to the World Tourist Organization. In 2012, the country saw declines in tourism in two of its most important areas -- border tourism and cruise ship stopovers, according to the Associated Press -- though that same year earnings from international tourism still grew 7.2 percent from the previous year ($1.27 billion). But the number of actual visitors to the country in 2012 fell by about 4 percent, from 23.4 million to 23.1 million.

The fall from the top ten could be seen as another hit to the reputation of former president Felipe Calderón, who in February of 2011 had signed an accord of 100 actions designed to propel Mexico into the top five of the rankings. Instead, as El Pais noted today, Mexico has slipped in the ranking from its 2005 peak of seventh place to number ten in 2007 and now, finally, out of the top ten.

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Often-horrific violence between rival drug cartels and police in the northern states and other more isolated regions of the country has made headlines abroad, helping aid the perception that the whole of Mexico suffers from the waves of drug violence. The number of cruise ship passengers stopping in Mexico dropped 3 percent in 2012 and more than 15 percent in the past two years, while the number of border zone visitors fell 5.3 percent in 2012, making these two areas of tourism the worst hit.

This March, the World Tourist Organization regional director for the Americas, Carlos Vogeler, told the Associated Press, "According to our initial data, Mexico has increased its income, apparently because people who arrive by air (rather than crossing a land border or arriving on a cruise ship) generally spend more time, and more money, in the country."

The AP also reported that resorts like Cancun appear to be unaffected by fears over safety. But Acapulco, once a top spring break destination, has seen its reputation tarnished to the extent that many foreign governments have issued warnings against travel there.

In February, six Spanish women were sexually assaulted after several hooded and heavily armed men broke into their Acapulco bungalow.