Spring Break travel alert doesn’t worry Baja tourism destinations

By Tania Navarro, SDNN
Thursday, March 25, 2010

Because of the security situation, the U.S. Department of State and Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade ministry had recently warned their citizens to avoid traveling to Mexico, particularly the northern area and all cities bordering the United States.
On March 14, the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua spurred the update of the State Department warning. The document highlights some parts of the states of Durango, Coahulia and Chihuahua.

The Canadian report, posted on March 15, recommends an “exercise of high degree of caution” when traveling to Tijuana, and to “avoid non-essential travel” to Ciudad Juarez, where three resident U.S. citizens, including one U.S. Consulate employee, were killed.
In Baja, while Spring Break begins, tourism promoters are hoping to have a good season, at least better than 2009 when hotel occupation fell 80 percent.

“We need to be clear: At this time, the security conditions in Baja are better than in the past years,” said Oscar Escobedo, Baja´s tourism secretary.

Escobedo said that Baja has had big results in the war against violence and drug traffic, and that it is a safe territory for tourism.
But at Rosarito beaches and other Baja vacation destinations, such as Ensenada and San Felipe, there are only empty streets.
“Rosarito is not Ciudad Juarez,” said Hugo Torres, Rosarito´s mayor and owner of Rosarito Beach hotel, who also encouraged So-Cal residents to visit Baja.

Citlalitl Pereda, president of Rosarito Touristic Committee, said that because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires all U.S. citizens to show a valid passport when traveling back from a Mexican border, it is improbable that American students want to pass their spring break on Baja beaches.

“We have arranged many promotions at restaurants, hotels and bars for the people with an American passport; but we cannot force them to have a passport. We know that the economic situation is not very good for many of them, and if they don’t want to, they will not spend their money buying that document,” she said.
Pereda said that Rosarito is hosting many events during the next two weeks, including the “Taco-Fest” and “Playa-Fest,” with promotions packages in hotels, activities at the beach, music, food and sports.
“We would love to receive visitors from all over the world, but the truth is that we are not expecting only Americans,” Pereda said. “Instead, we know that we will have many local tourism, people from our neighbor cities, like Tijuana, Tecate or Mexicali.”

William Shimmer, 44, a Riverside resident, is a frequent visitor to Rosarito. He believes that compared to other years, this is a very calm and safe time at this Mexican beach.

“I love this place. The food, the drinks and the places are very good and cheap,” he said.
For many, even with the passport law and the travel alerts, Rosarito will be an option to spend a sunny weekend.

Tania Navarro is SDNN’s Mexico reporter.



Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-03-25/mexico/spring-break-travel-alert-doesn%E2%80%99t-worry-baja-tourism-destinations#ixzz0jEzFhbD7

PROXIMOS EVENTOS EN ROSARITO

>Rosarito Beach Pro-Am / Agosto 22 y 23 | Primer Evento Anual de Surfing Pro-AM, el cual reunirá a los Surfistas profesionales de América que competirán por una bolsa repartida de $10,000 dolares. A celebrarse en el Muelle de Rosarito. >Más información

>Noche Flamenca / Agosto 22 | Presentando Guitarra y cantante españoles, danzantes flamencos. Bajo las estrellas en la alberca Azul de la nueva Torre Pacifico del Hotel Rosarito Beach. >Más información

>Festival de la Comida Mexicana / Septiembre 5 | Festival de la Comida Mexicana, mismo que se desarrollará sobre el Blvd. Benito Juárez, frente al hotel Festival Plaza en Playas de Rosarito, el sábado 5 de septiembre de 1:00 a 10:00 de la noche. >Más información

>Serie Motocross Otoño / Septiembre 5 | Los mejores competidores de ambos lados de la frontera, compitiendo en una pisa de rampas y obstáculos especialmente diseñada a circuito de aproximadamente 2 millas. Participantes de todos los niveles compiten, niños en categoría peewee, hasta los adultos en categorías profesionales. >Más información

Rosarito: Un fin de semana lleno de actividades, a fun packed weekend of events

PASEO CICLISTA ROSARITO-VALLE DE GUADALUPE


Inscripciones a partir de las 7:00 a.m. frente al Hotel Rosarito, salida a las 10:00a.m. rumbo a Ensenada hasta la altura del km 85 para tomar la ruta del vino hacia el Valle de Guadalupe hasta llegar a vinos Bibayoff. asocioacionbajacalifornia@hotmail.com , (664)630.4233

ROSARITO-GUADALUPE VALLEY BIKE RIDE

Register starts at 7:00 a.m. in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, Ride starts at 10:00 a.m. towards Ensenada until k85, and then merges toward the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe, ride ends at Bibayoff winery. asocioacionbajacalifornia@hotmail.com , 01152(664)630.4233


<FESTIVAL DE VERANO 09

Los mas espectaculares eventos del verano se unen para formar parte de este Gran festial, desde la expomueble que presenta la industria del mueble, como el steak con langosta y los mejores tequilas, todo combinado con musica en vivo, mariachis, ballet folklore. Venga y disfrute en el Pabellon Rosarito. www.bajaevents.com.mx


ROSARITO SUMMER FEST 09

The most spectacular events of summer come together for this festival from the making of furniture, to our regional food tasting of steak and lobster and the best tequilas combined with live music, mariachi and folkloric dancing. Come and join us at the Rosarito Pavilion. www.bajaevents.com.mx