Mexico's tourism promotion body probably needed some changes, but this is likely going too far. Will Mexico's travel industry find a way to fill the gap?
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.
At least Mexico's president-elect, López Obrador, has tapped someone intimately familiar with the travel industry and how it operates locally and internationally. It's more than the United States can say it's done for travel in the past year and a half.
Mexico's tourism industry has been lucky in the past year as the violence mostly hasn't targeted tourist destinations like Mexico City. But if history is any guide, tourism is often the focus for anyone wanting to cause harm and chaos. We hope we're wrong about this one.
Latin America’s tourist destinations have excelled at nation branding by creating vibrant and colorful content to entice travelers. In 2018, the region’s tourism offices will get more savvy with their digital marketing efforts as the visitor economy grows in importance.
No doubt destinations are hoping that visitors will return when islands have a chance to recover and clean up. Old habits and geography are in their favor.
November was the third consecutive month that U.S. arrivals to South America decreased or were flat from the previous year and the fourth -- albeit non-consecutive -- month of declines in U.S. arrivals to the Caribbean in 2016. Travel brands are monitoring demand for Latin America following zika virus outbreaks across the region during the past year.
As economies around the world continue to fluctuate from boom to bust times, the bus market will remain relevant to capitalize on what consumers can afford and what amenities they're willing to give up -- or gain -- from choosing the road over the skies.
With more airlift from the U.S. to Mexico, and the country's increased focus on luxury travel, combined with a stronger U.S. economy, it makes sense that U.S. travel growth to Mexico became robust in 2016.