Mexico grapples with post-lockdown tourism challenges

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Mexico continues to grapple with an intensifying coronavirus outbreak —and an economic beating. The country reopened its economy in June without controlling its first COVID-19 wave, and the consequences have become a cautionary tale about pitting the economy against public health.

Tourism is the top industry in the southern state of Oaxaca. Visitors from Mexicoand worldwideflock to the Pacific Coast beaches and the state’s colonial capital and archaeological zones. Navigating economic survival while trying to minimize harm to public health is a fine line many in the battered tourism sector are having to walk.

With no international air restrictions, foreign travellers have recently taken advantage of enticing discounts.But, COVID-19 is still killing tourism.
Normally, Oaxaca City’s central plaza would be full of tourists. But not now.Street vendors trying to eke out a living outnumber potential customers.

“Those of us who work in tourism were the first to be affected,” saystravel agent Emmanuel Castellanos. He says many small businesses like his have had to shut down while bigger franchise operations survive. He’s been able to keep his office open thanks to loyal local clients and a sympathetic landlord.

Government health officials have called on citizens to voluntarily stay home while tourism destinations are still open and offering enticing discounts. Nonessential travel is ill-advised, but not illegal.

Castellanos says many of his agency’s local clients are restless and anxious to travel. “We have to tell clients that it’s not advisable to travel right now,” he says. “But we also can’t prohibit them from doing so.” Instead, he warns them of the risks and urges them to act accordingly.

In Mexico, international tourism usuallybrings an upwardof $20 billion a year. But 2020 might deliver less than half that amount. And this is despite Mexico keeping international air travel open, including US tourists barred from other countries due to soaring COVID-19 cases.

Unlike other travel destinations, travellers flying into Mexico do not have to prove they are virus-free to enter the country for non-essential travel.

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