Baja California is expecting about 170,000 tourists this Memorial Day weekend. Tourism officials expect visitors to spend about $25 million. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Yves Lelevier is Deputy Secretary of Toursim for the state of Baja California.
He says 170,000 tourists during Memorial Day Weekend is about average compared to previous years.
Both Baja California and Tijuana officials have repeatedly sought to assure tourists the state is safe for them.
Lelevier says it’s difficult to say if public safety concerns are affecting tourism.
Lelevier : I would like to think that it’s not, mainly because a lot of people who have been here before are actually returning. And also, fortunately, none of the violent acts that have happened in the last few years have been focused towards visitors.
Lelevier says 75 percent of Baja California tourists are repeat visitors.
He says tourism in the state increased from 2005 to 2006. Specific numbers were not available.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
