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Declining tourism in MexicoJune 11, 2009 Wrap, suggested lead: As the World Health Organization declares swine flu, which originated in Mexico, a pandemic, a raging war on drugs and shootouts with drug traffickers are threatening Mexico's tourism trade. Mark Schwerin reports. (1:03/Schwerin/STD) Mexico's tourism industry is reeling from an outbreak of swine flu and highly publicized shootouts between soldiers and drug traffickers in such destinations as Acapulco. These events, on top of a sharp downturn in the U.S. economy, are putting a real crimp in tourism south of the border, says Dr. Sybil Rhodes, a WMU associate professor of political science and Latin America expert. (:31/Rhodes..................................................the economy.) Rhodes says those who do travel to Mexico will find bargains on airfares and accommodations. From Western Michigan University, I'm Mark Schwerin. Actualities: CUT ONE: Rhodes says Mexico President Felipe Calderone declared war on drug trafficking after he was elected, but the situation is far from resolved. (:39/Rhodes.................................................the problem.) CUT TWO: Rhodes says tourism is very important to the
Mexican economy and the country overall is very closely tied
to the U.S. economy. Remittances, the money immigrants in the
United States send back to Mexico, are down. CUT THREE: Rhodes says the U.S. demand for illegal drugs is the main driver behind Mexican drug trafficking and guns from the United States are winding up in the hands of drug traffickers. (:41/Rhodes.......................................................to Mexico.) For additional comments or an interview with Rhodes, call
Mark Schwerin at (269) 387-8413. WMU Radio News Service Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu |