Monday, May 5, 2008

Is it Safe to Visit Baja California, Mexico? Of Course!

By Laura Wong

It is our considered opinion that the success of the April 19 Rosarito to Ensenada Bike Ride is a sign that many Americans believe it is safe to visit Baja California, Mexico. The proof? Almost six thousand people traveled to Rosarito for this annual event.

It’s difficult to say who had more fun – those who came to ride, or those who came to watch this unusual experience: part athletic event, part moving fiesta. Bicyclists create costumes, dress up their bikes, hang things from their helmets and use all kinds of materials to show their places of origin. We watched the race for almost half an hour and did not notice a single person with a bullet proof vest or a shield for their bike. People came simply to have a good time and enjoy family fun without anxiety or fear.

It is true that Baja California, and especially Tijuana, need to recover the trust of our visitors. It is unrealistic to think this will happen overnight. But action is being taken by the federal, state and local governments to restore security in affected areas, and when people feel that security there will be positive news to share about the State.

Last week Google released a travel warning with a report of some bad news from Tijuana. But the crime they referenced took place at least two months ago! The report didn’t mention the date so it gave the appearance of being recent news. The repetitive spreading of bad news in various American news outlets, circulating the same information over and over, has provoked a wave of panic in some areas.

Unreasonable panic in our opinion.

Even worse is the recent warning issued by the US government in a press release advising its citizens to avoid Baja California – again based on old reports of past crimes. This is very damaging to our image.

The reality is that visiting Baja California is safe. Yes we have to deal with the same kinds of crimes that occur in any big city, but really, is there any place that is completely safe?

News outlets in every city tell stories about local crimes, but people don’t decide to give up an opportunity to visit San Diego because of reports like this. Everyone has heard stories about difficulties or crimes when people vacation. We may have these experiences ourselves, but that does not mean we stop traveling or taking our vacations in the places we most enjoy. We have to take reasonable precautions and use common sense. We stay in the tourist areas and above all act like responsible visitors.

The recent installation of a Japanese manufacturing facility in Rosarito is a sign that foreign investors continue to come. It demonstrates that they have confidence in this region. The arrival of new cruise lines in Ensenada, the sale of condominiums along the coastal corridor, and even the long lines to cross back to the United States all tell us that although some may have decided not to come, many others have found that visiting Baja California is a very positive experience.

The most effective advertising we can have is the experiences of the thousands of young people who visited during spring break and enjoyed themselves here without incident. They and the almost six thousand cyclists who experienced a beautiful ride on one of the most beautiful roads in Mexico returned to their hometowns without regrets or stories of any sort of problem.

Thousands of foreign residents have not sold their houses and condominiums to return to the United States. They remain here because they know that the quality of life, peace and tranquility available here are so much better than the way of life they had in their cities of origin. The Pacific Ocean that washes our shores is the same one that touches Malibu and Santa Monica – but in Baja California you don’t have to be a multimillionaire to enjoy it. It is our pleasure to share it with responsible travelers and homebuyers from around the world.

Is it safe to come? Of course it is!

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Laura Wong is editor and director of the Baja Times, a bimonthly English language newspaper published in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico.  Reprinted with permission from the Baja Times.