US warnings to Americans about criminal activity hurt tourism, Baja officials say
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Travel safety warnings put out by the U.S. in connection with criminal activity in Tijuana are hurting tourism, Baja state officials say.
Karim Chalita Rodriguez, president of Tijuana’s Tourism and Conventions Committee, specifically mentioned this week’s shooting in a high-end neighborhood that resulted in the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana putting out a warning to all of its personnel to shelter in place.
On Monday, several gunmen disguised as movers in a moving van entered a gated community and fired automatic weapons into a luxurious home believed to be owned by members of the Sinaloa cartel.
Many prominent business people, politicians and wealthy residents live in the area.
(1/5) Alert: Shooting Event in Toscana Residential Area, Tijuana
The U.S. Consulate General Tijuana is aware of a shooting event in the Toscana residential area. U.S. government employees have been instructed to shelter in place until further notice
More: https://t.co/YU9Huwrobn pic.twitter.com/LWRy2KDcCe— U.S. Consulate Tijuana (@ConsuladoUSATJ) February 26, 2024
According to police, people inside the home returned fire with the gun battle lasting about 15 minutes.
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Police said several people were wounded, but no deaths were reported.
Seven men in the moving van were stopped by Tijuana police after they crashed their van into a tree as they tried to get away a few miles from where the shooting happened.
“As a committee, we don’t like these types of events,” said Rodriguez. “What happens is (tourists) will take precautions, but most likely won’t come.”
Rodriguez said in the past, whenever there’s been some sort of travel warning, it’s been about Mexico or Baja California in general and not specifically Tijuana.
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“There will be some diminished visits,” he said. “Fortunately, we seem to recover quickly. Hopefully, this will not happen again.”
Rodriguez stated all three branches of government in Tijuana need to coordinate better to fight crime and the bad elements, otherwise, visitors will continue to stay away.
“Our proximity to the United States is a benefit because California residents visit Tijuana on a consistent basis, they know the city is not totally insecure.”
The upcoming Spring Break season is expected to yield many visits and a positive economic impact in the region, Rodriguez said.
He hopes the recent violent events don’t keep people away.
“I think our habitual visitors won’t be influenced by the news in the city, it’s the people who have never been to Tijuana that we worry will stay away.”
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