Abstract

DE LA TORRE, Marina Inés  and  NAVARRETE ESCOBEDO, David. Tourism and Drug Trafficking in Mexico. Estud. perspect. tur. [online]. 2018, vol.27, n.4, pp.867-882. ISSN 1851-1732.

The exploitation of tourism in Mexico is an activity in constant growth, taking into account its cultural heritage and its natural potential. It represents 8.5% of PBI, and ranks second, after remittances from Mexican migrants in the US. However, the scourge of drug trafficking, illegal activity in the hands of criminal organizations, is a major factor in the construction of the collective imaginary of insecurity. Violence, contingent on the nature of criminal practices, represents one of the new forms of manifestation, of a predatory terrorism with exclusive profit aims, at the expense of vulnerable and defenseless populations. The change of the criminal model in the practices of organized crime, starting in the 80s of the last century, will mark a turning point in the perception of Mexico, as a tourist destination, and will impact the economic development supported by this vocation.  In this context, tourism temporarily flows to new destinations, while reconfiguring the composition of its demand to adapt to the new conditions of a potentially hostile environment.

Keywords : Terrorism; Drug trafficking; Tourism; Violence; Insecurity.