This year, murder has quadrupled in Los Cabos and doubled in Cancun.
“Those places are also dangerous. That the violence that has been prevailing over Mexico is now nearing those areas that are tourist areas, and mostly occupied by Americans,” said Tarleton State Criminologist Dr. Alex Del Carmen. “You start talking about people being decapitated and heads being found along the side of the road, or other individuals being kidnapped. I mean, clearly, that strikes a nerve with anyone wanting to visit Mexico at this time.”
As cartel violence is now impacting tourism at popular Mexican beach resorts, it might be time to rethink vacation plans.
Following the U.S. State Department's travel warning to Cancun and Los Cabos, for the first time in three years, international passenger arrivals has declined.
Del Carmen said have a plan of action and be prepared should you decide to risk the travel.
Hotel occupancy in Cancun has tumbled 10 percent this year. Los Cabos is the hardest-hit destination with a 6 percent drop.
Insurance companies aren't even offering coverage in areas under advisory. Mexico's tourist officials are trying to up security to get the State Department to revise its views.
Mexico gets about $20 billion a year from tourism--about 90% of its economic activity. Experts say a drop in tourism could wipe out as much as 0.5 percentage point from Mexico's gross domestic product growth this year.
Recent hurricanes and earthquakes haven't helped tourism either.