Mexico Tourism Dips Amid Political Unrest

Political unrest and violence is causing Mexico to lose some tourists, according to tourism experts. Travel to Mexico is down 4% this year and tourists are avoiding some areas.

Mexico is a popular destination for American travelers and they account for most of the loss. Those loses could be widened if the situations in Mexico are not resolved.

“People just don’t feel safe anymore,” said Ana Maria Salazar who’s a political commentator in Mexico City. Salazar is also a former Pentagon official.

On Friday American journalist, Bradley Roland Will, 36, was killed in Oaxaca City, Mexico. Will was shot to death.

The message is clear. “U.S. Citizens should avoid any travel to Oaxaca City,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico City Tony Garza.

Garza said U.S. Citizens in that area should exercise “extreme caution.”

According to reports, tourism to Mexico is down 350,000 people so far in 2006.