Friday, February 12, 2010

Government blamed


Various tourism industry spokespersons are blaming government inaction for the dismal condition of the hospitality industry. Worldwide recession, the flu scare and the increasingly bloody battle against organized crime all are seen as reasons why international tourism is declining, but official inaction is said only to enhance the problem.

The resignation of Oscar Fitch as director of the National Tourism Promotion Council — Mexican Government Tourism Office — is recognized as a fact, but not yet officially confirmed. Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo supposedly has been trying to quit for months, but his resignation has not been accepted. Last year, President Felipe Calderon proposed abolishing the Tourism Ministry, but the Senate refused to go along. Critics charge that Calderon’s response has been to simply pretend the Ministry no longer exists.

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Jimm Budd
Reporting from Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

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