The Russians are Coming

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1108832--why-russians-are-flocking-to-mexican-hotspots?bn=1

The above article is quite interesting regarding the increased interest in Mexico travel by Russian tourists.

A partial quote from the article:
"The Russians are coming to Mexico in ever bigger numbers — and just in time to bolster a tourism industry dealing with an economic downturn and frightened Americans, who have been inundated with crime stories from south of the border.

News of bar attacks and beheadings — often in places far from the country’s tourist destinations, except Acapulco — doesn’t scare many non-U.S. visitors away from Mexico, especially Russians, says Cancun tour operator Armina Wolpert.

“They don’t fear, don’t listen to and don’t believe media outlets,” says Wolpert, whose agency, Arminas Travel, serves the Russian market. “In all of the seminars I’ve done . . . I’ve not received even one question about security in Mexico.”

Are the Americans more frightened or more broke?

The real unemployment there is a lot closer to 20 percent. That tends to put a damper on things.

A lot of Russia has a winter that makes Canada look temperate. That plus the cheap prices and fabulous beaches should make Mexico a big draw to the Russians.

Did you happen to notice the following quote from the article?
"The average Russian stays up to 11 days and spends $1,000 daily — five times more than the average North American, who usually visits for no more than five nights — according to Cancun tourism officials."

I did. Pretty impressive. That means one Russian equals five Americans or Canadians, assuming that statistic applies equally to both.

The unemployment I was referring to is the real one in the U.S. not the phony one the government puts out. Even Gallup has shot that fiction down.

I'm all for Mexico reducing its dependence on the U.S. Why be tied to a sinking ship?