This was to be “Mexico Year” in France, with museum exhibits, cultural events and more expected to promote tourism not only from the host country but from all of Europe. Now the case of a young French woman, Florence Cassez, convicted of involvement in kidnappings and other crimes threatens to derail everything. France has asked that its young citizen be returned to her homeland to serve her 60-year sentence. But France refuses to promise that she will not be released if she is allowed to return.
At the opening of Mexico Year festivities, the French President declared that the event would be dedicated to Florence Cassez. With that, the Mexican Government canceled its support of Mexico Year in France. Political commentators recalled how Mexico’s first foreign war was with France, which in 1839 bombarded Veracruz, demanding that a baker’s bill be paid. This time, many of the 170,000 French tourists expected in Mexico may stay home. That, according to the private sector National Tourism Confederation, will cost the hospitality industry about $172 million.
--
Jimm Budd
Reporting from Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers
No comments:
Post a Comment