Velia Amparo Rivas

Recent news stories have shocked and alarmed U.S. citizens who were contemplating a trip to Mexico.  While we in public office share your concerns and outrage at any murder, it is important to separate fact from sensationalism.  Many of the recently reported incidents happened far from Baja California.  Attack on foreign tourists are extremely rare and we feel the message that trips to Baja are safe are being overshadowed by the other incidents.
 
In the last two years, we have taken a number of actions to insure that tourists and visitors in our State enjoy a safe and pleasant visit. This remains an ongoing effort as statistics now prove it. We have offices in each of our six cities that are ready to attend any incident related to our foreign and national visitors, also a dedicated 7/24 hour tourism assistance telephone hot line (078) is  provided to report any incidents and for assistance.
 
On behalf of the State Government of Baja California, we want to ensure that you are adequately informed and feel comfortable knowing that many of your students will be visiting our region during their spring break.  My office is in charge of coordinating and implementing actions relating to the visitors to our State, and as such I take this opportunity to inform and make you aware that due to unfortunate violence that has taken place in locations over five hundred miles away from us, our community is being labeled and negatively affected by media reports that many times and frequently are blown out of proportion.
 
Finally I want to assure you that our State Government will continue with its best effort to insure the safety of all who visit our beautiful State. I remain at your service as necessary.
 
Most sincerely yours:
 
 
OSCAR J. ESCOBEDO
BAJA CALIFORNIA STATE SECRETARY OF TOURISM