This time of year is usually the busiest for tourists traveling to Mexico. But this year, Texans are staying at home amid the pandemic, which is costing the country billions.
No one is swimming in the waters off the coast of Cancún. The hotels, shops and restaurants stand empty at Playa Del Carmen. Millions have either lost their jobs or are waiting until visitors can travel once again. In Mexico, tourism accounts for more than 8 percent of the country's GDP. Johann and his wife Sandra, who run a travel agency geared toward English speakers, say the people are struggling.
“From the guys working at the hotel, to the travel agencies selling the hotel, to the tour operators, they all have families. They all have rough situations right now,” Johann said via an online video earlier this month.
Economic experts say the COVID-19 pandemic can be classified as one of the worst in the last decade years for Mexico, after the September 11 attacks in the United States. Another big part of Mexico’s economy being hit (just like us in Texas) is oil.