Mazatlan to cruise lines: We want you back

Earlier this week, major cruise lines played it safe, skipping a port in Mexico, fearful of passenger safety when going ashore in Mazatlan. Attacks on passengers and crew caused Disney Cruise Line, Princess and Holland America to drop the city as a port of call on Mexican Rivera cruises. But Mazatlan tourism officials are not buying it.

“We highly value our long-standing relationships within the cruise industry, and are dedicated to ensuring that Mazatlan remains among the top cruise destinations on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Mazatlan has hosted nearly 1.5 million cruise passengers since 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in Mexico.” said Julio Birrueta, spokesperson for the Mazatlan Tourism Trust.

Mexico says they have taken steps to insure the safety of cruise passengers and are taking that message on the road.

Tomorrow, state and local government and law enforcement officials along with tourism and port authority executives will meet with cruise industry leaders. On Monday, government officials will meet with executives from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

“Tourism is very important to Mazatlan and its residents. The destination plays host to nearly 2 million visitors per year from all over the world and the number has increased steadily for the past five years” added Birrueta

Flickr photo by Renee Silverman