The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings. Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

More on Mexico, the media & the economy

Mexico has been hammered by what in my opinion was irresponsible journalism. The entire travel industry has been impacted by this "quest" for coverage.

Billions of travel dollars have been left unspent and unearned due to cancelled trips and the fear factor. Jobs and companies have been hurt just in the name of providing the "news".

Another current buzz today is economic stimulus. Let's put Mexico and travel into our economic stimulus packages. Get out and get going to Mexico or anywhere. Stimulate the economy and spend.

Modern Mexico is a wonderful mixture of people, native and foreign, their past and present all melted together. The country offers wonderful treasures of its native populations, the architecture of its colonial past, vibrant modern beaches, modern mega resorts and more. It offers great value and a wide range of experiences for the traveler. It is a foreign destination yet a familiar one that reminds many American travelers of the Grand Strand of the Carolinas.

The media has been irresponsible in their reporting of medical issues and safety concerns in the country. Mexico continues to be a great vacation destination and places like Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas have report few if any flu cases. Drug violence has been localized to towns near the US/Mexican border and is not rampant across the country. Places like Tijuana, Nogales and Juarez were never on the real tourist maps and if you’ve ever been to a border town you’ll understand why. If you have not been here then please don’t worry about missing out.

There are still plenty of wonders in our neighboring country. To discover more about the magic of Mexico go to
www.visitmexico.com or contact your local certified Mexican travel specialist. If you don’t know any specialists then feel contact me at thetravelprofessor@gmail.com as I’ve been one for years.

As part of my certification requirements I’ve got to visit Mexico periodically so the Travel Professor has planned a December group cruise sailing from New Orleans. We’ll spend a few days in the Crescent City then head out to sea and visit the island of Cozumel.

It’s a couple of days in the French Quarter then some more aboard a Fun Ship all to satisfy a continuing education requirement. It could be worse like Alaska in January.

Viva la Mexico!