According to the article, “Despite Bad Press and Travel Warnings, Mexico Tourism Holds Its Own,” travel sales show that not everyone is nixing travel to Mexico for spring break. In fact, despite the bad press (as reported by the news media and a constant flow of travel warnings), Mexico is relying on a record year for tourism.

Even with image problems caused by drug violence and the multitude of deaths from warring gangs and drug cartels, Mexico continues to be one of the most popular vacation destinations for Americans over the past two decades. Mexico welcomed more than 20 million Americans in 2012 according to the U.S. State Department’s Office of Travel and Tourism. The Mexico Tourism Board says the number of tourists in the country increased 2 percent from 2011. This year, Mexico expects 52 million nationals and international travelers to tour the southeastern region of the nation.

Travel to conventional tourist locations along the Mayan Riviera generally stay safe, yet there are some safety issues in particular places in the nation, especially in the north. Great strides have been made by the Mexican government to fight the drug cartels. The U.S. government has commended Mexico’s continuing dedication to producing a safer place to vacation; even safer than some cities in nearby Texas!