US blamed for tourism decline

The faltering U.S. economy is primarily to blame for any decline in international tourism, Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara maintains. The minister was in Oaxaca for the opening of the annual Guelaguetza dance festival. Fear of gang war violence is a factor, she said, but far worse is the unemployment rate and concern over what will happen if no agreement is reached regarding the U.S. debt limit. Virtually no tourists have been hurt by the gang wars, but many potential travelers are victims of poor economic conditions, she added.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers