'We are scared' -tourists in Mexico face coronavirus uncertainty

Record ID: 1465150

  • Title: 'We are scared' -tourists in Mexico face coronavirus uncertainty
  • Date: 21st March 2020
  • Summary: CANCUN, MEXICO (MARCH 20, 2020) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN TOURIST, ALINA, SAYING: "Yeah, it's horrible. We don't know if our flight goes or not. We are scared." CANCUN, MEXICO (MARCH 17, 2020) (REUTERS) TOURISTS WALKING TO BEACH VARIOUS, TOURISTS AND BARS AND RESTAURANTS TOURISTS TAKING PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN TOUR OPERATOR, ARMANDO GARZA, SAYING: "It really hasn't damaged anything for spring break, because all the clubs have been full these days, and we hope it stays full and there are lots of people still at the hotels." VARIOUS, PEOPLE WAITING IN AIRPORT FOR FLIGHTS PEOPLE ARGUING PEOPLE AT CHECK-IN COUNTER PEOPLE SITTING, LYING ON AIRPORT FLOOR
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2020 00:01
  • Keywords: Cancun Mexico coronavirus economy outbreak restrictions spring break tourism tourists travel
  • Location: CANCUN, MEXICO
  • City: CANCUN, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA002C5ZW8XZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Mexico's normally bustling tourist hotspots are taking a hit as the spread of the coronavirus decimates international travel and countries across the world erect barriers to free movement.
    Cancun's beaches, normally awash in spring break revellers in March, were noticeably sparser this past week as Mexico and the U.S. announced Friday (March 20) they would work together to limit non-essential travel.
    Mexico's government has been slow to implement coronavirus containment measures including travel bans, while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has downplayed the potentially devastating fallout from the disease. He continues to tour towns across the country, holding large rallies as he hugs supporters and kisses babies.
    Mexico has so far avoided the worst of the outbreak, with 164 detected coronavirus cases and only one death as of Friday.
    But with Latin America's second largest economy so dependent on trade and tourism, the economic pain is already being felt.
    Tourism accounts for about one-sixth of Mexico's roughly $1.3 trillion dollar economy.
    (Production: Jorge Delgado, Carlos Carrillo)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register