For thousands of college students a year, traveling to Mexico ‘- one of the most popular locations for spring break ‘- entails excessive, legal partying and getting a nice tan. But now this idea of a luxury vacation could be at risk.
Last month, a new travel advisory for Mexico was issued by the U.S. State Department. The purpose of the warning was primarily to draw awareness to the rising dangers resulting from the massive amount of drug cartel violence, especially along the U.S.-Mexico border.‘ ‘ ‘
Mexican drug cartels are involved in a progressing violent dispute both among themselves and Mexican government forces for control of trafficking routes. The exceeding brutality in Mexico killed more than 6, 290 people last year and more than 1,000 within the first eight weeks of 2009.
Many universities across the country have taken the initiative to warn their students of the recent dangers of traveling to Mexico, but few have gone so far as to blatantly tell students that they shouldn’t go there.‘
In a campus-wide email sent by Esther Terry, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life, University of Massachusetts students were encouraged to read the U.S. State Government travel alert if they planned on spending their upcoming break in Mexico. She said that all potential travelers should be aware of the alert and highlighted the fact that U.S. citizens should ‘exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times.’
According to UMass Dean of Students Jo-Anne Vanin, paying mind to the information in the Vice Chancellor’s email is important. She said the University isn’t telling students not to travel there but, ‘in view of the advisory, we caution students to take due care in their travels ‘- be aware of their surroundings, know where the U.S. Embassy is and avoid areas where drug trafficking is prevalent.’
UMass junior Heather Duquette thinks it is good that universities are offering parents and students information about safety precautions, ‘however, most students who are going to
Mexico are going to be in a gated resort area. So, I think it’s silly that some universities are urging students not to go. Informing is one thing, but overreacting and worrying parents is another.’
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According to the travel alert issued by the U.S. Department of State, the greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border, especially in Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Chihuahua City. The alert counseled U.S. citizens to adhere to many safety precautions including: traveling on main roads (particularly the toll roads) during daylight hours, remaining in homes or hotels, avoiding large crowds, avoiding downtown and surrounding areas (places where there is a large amount of drug dealing and prostitution), not displaying jewelry, money or other valuables, and leaving a copy of the trip’s itinerary with someone back home.
Most students who have booked a trip to Mexico this spring break are well aware of the most recent occurrences but have not let the alert affect their travel plans.
Frequent traveler, sophomore Andrea Fondulas said, ‘I chose Mexico because I love it there ‘- I’ve been there four times now. We found a time share available there, and the warnings have made me nervous, but it hasn’t even crossed my mind to cancel my trip. I just know we have to take extra precautions about our surroundings and to never wind up alone.’
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As indicated by Orbitz Worldwide Vice President of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs Brian Hoyt, this widespread travel agency also pushes student travelers to use their own judgment, while staying conscious of the fact that these warnings are primarily targeted to towns on the border where there is ‘unrest’ with the drug cartels and the Mexican government, unlike popular vacation spots like Cancun and Cabo.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also released an advisory recommending that college students avoid areas in northern Mexico. The Bureau’s alert specifically dissuades travel to Tijuana and Rosarito Beach where drug-related violence may be
at its worst.
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‘My clients are either interested in a beach vacation in Cancun or the Maya Riviera area.’
Belchertown, Mass., Travel Loft representative Deborah Walsh said. ‘I haven’t had any of my clients express concern or cancel trips. They tend to be well-traveled and understand that the violence right now has not spilled over into the beach/tourist areas,’ she added.
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A more serious concern for spring break travel could be the state of the economy. Big-name travel agency Expedia, has had booking rates to Mexico drop since last year. Ian Jeffries, an Expedia public relations representative said that bookings everywhere are down, with the exception of the Dominican Republic.
According to Jeffries, the peak period of spring break travel is from March 16 to April 5. Compared to last year’s travel rate to Mexico, tickets sold to Puerto Vallarta dropped 17 percent and fare prices were down 9 percent. Tickets sold to Cozumel dropped 22 percent while prices dropped 18 percent. Tickets sold to Cancun dropped 22 percent in spite of prices dropping 20 percent.
Hotel prices in Cancun also dropped dramatically in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same time period in 2008.
Kathryn Foley can be reached at [email protected].
