Talking Points: Mexico – July 28, 2017 (Updated)

Talking Points – Safe Travel to Mexico

Copyright © 2017 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.

The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing travel to Mexico. (Updated July 28, 2017)

1. Mexico resort areas are safe for travelers. There has been no security message issued by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, and the longstanding Travel Warning has not changed and does not warn against Americans traveling to Mexico – rather it further clarifies the relative safety of each state within Mexico.

2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure their safety.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further illustrate each talking point.

1. Mexico resort areas are safe for travelers. There has been no security message issued by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, and the longstanding Travel Warning has not changed and does not warn against Americans traveling to Mexico – rather it further clarifies the relative safety of each state within Mexico.

 There is a news story that is being widely circulated regarding at least one resort with possibly tainted alcohol.

o The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel specifically cited the IBEROSTAR Paraíso del Mar in its recent story about two American siblings found unconscious in a pool at IBEROSTAR Paraíso del Mar. One of the individuals died after drinking several alcoholic drinks.

o The story also includes information that “the national health authority in Mexico has seized more than 1.4 million gallons of adulterated alcohol since 2010 — not just from small local establishments, but from hotels and other entertainment areas, according to a 2017 report by the country’s Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks.”

 “The bootleg liquor could be infused with grain alcohol or dangerous concentrations of methanol, cheaper alternatives to producing ethanol, government reports warn.”

 “And the mixtures are capable of making people extremely sick.”

o A spokeswoman told the Journal Sentinel “the company takes the health and safety of its guests seriously. The statement said the company’s Mexican resorts book about 500,000 guests a year and that the company adheres to strict regulatory standards.”

 “We work with a host of providers not unique to IBEROSTAR who service other hotel chains and renowned brands,” spokeswoman Yazmine Esparza said in an email. “Similarly, we only purchase sealed bottles that satisfy all standards required by the designated regulatory authorities.”

 

 More than 35 million people visited Mexico in 2016 and nearly eight (8) million Americans visited the country from January to October 2016 – the vast majority of those visitor traveled to and from Mexico safely.

 In the State Department’s Country Information page for Mexico, it notes “There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.”

 While the State Department currently has a Travel Warning in place, it has not changed since December 2016 and it does not explicitly say, “Do not travel to Mexico.”

 The State Department aptly notes: “Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality.”

o It further states: “Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.”

o Major resort areas where Americans like to go, such as Cancun, Cozumel, the Riviera Maya and Cabo San Lucas are quite safe.

 Major resort areas where Americans like to go, such as Cancun, Cozumel, the Riviera Maya and Cabo San Lucas are quite safe.

o According to the U.S. State Department, there are no travel advisories in place for:

 Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos (Please note that the State Department does advise Americans to exercise caution in Baja California and Baja California Sur)

 Campeche

 Chiapas (Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas)

 Guadalajara (Please note that the State Department does advise Americans to defer non-essential travel to areas of Jalisco state along its border, and exercise caution in rural areas and on secondary highways.)

 Guanajuato (San Miguel de Allende and Leon)

 Hidalgo

 Mexico City

 Puebla

 Puerto Vallarta (Please note that the State Department does advise Americans to defer non-essential travel to areas of Jalisco state along its border, and exercise caution in rural areas and on secondary highways.)

 Queretaro

 Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum)

 Tabasco (Villahermosa)

 Tlaxcala

 Veracruz

 Yucatan (Merida and Chichen Itza)

2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure their safety.

 It is highly recommended that all travelers purchase travel insurance to protect themselves if they become ill or injured, particularly in a foreign country, and require medical treatment and/or evacuation.

 If our clients are going to pack one thing, we’d strongly recommend it be common sense. No matter what our clients’ age or destination, they should always use good common sense when it comes to their personal safety, just as they would at home.

 To maximize one’s personal safety and security while traveling in Mexico or any other international destination:

o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.

o Stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas, and avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur.

o Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member back home.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items.

o Make every attempt to travel during daylight hours, and stick to main roads.

 Additional precautions travelers can take, just as they would at home, include:

o Have someone you trust with you.

o If something seems suspicious, remove yourself from that situation.

o Be a good citizen. If you see a fellow traveler needing assistance don’t be afraid to help.

o If traveling with children, be sure to keep an eye on them at all times, especially near water as the resorts do not offer lifeguards.

 The U.S. State Department also advises the following specifically for travel to Mexico: “U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.”

 We recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register their travel plans at https://step.state.gov. This will help the State Department contact travelers if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or in the event an emergency transpires in the place where the individual is traveling.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

 The safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority, and we would not send our clients to a particular destination if we believed it to be unsafe.

 We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.

 

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.

 By working with a true travel professional, we assist our clients by consulting on the ideal vacation experience they are looking for and providing alternative destinations should the need arise.