The Resilience of the American Vacation in Mexico
Skift Take
The relationship between American tourists and Mexico is nearly a century old and has weathered ups and downs. Today's drug-related violence, mounting border tension, and political rhetoric won't stop these trips, but are clearly disrupting them.
Twenty years of escalating violence and recent political tension between the U.S. and Mexico are changing how Americans plan, book, and take vacations south of the border.
Despite the turmoil, few Americans are deterred. They are still going — Mexico's beaches in particular have been a staple for the better part of a century — showing how the countries need this tourism relationship to succeed, even as it evolves. Americans are asking new questions and making new choices when booking trips to Mexico, factoring in safety and costs. Getting tourists away from the coastal resorts and off the beaten path is a growing challenge now.
Still, as destinations expand and lure new travelers across the globe, Mexico remains the most popular country for Americans to visit outside the U.S., according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office.
For some Americans, going to Mexico is the only international vacation they can afford. For others, it means ac
