Violent crimes targeting travelers in Mexico -- such as the rape of six female Spanish tourists in Acapulco earlier this week -- are uncommon, according to the head of a travel risk management company. “The vast majority of people do not experience these kinds of problems,” said Bruce McIndoe, president of iJET International. “I do not see any organizations in Mexico whose intent it is to target tourists. "Are there criminals out there who target anyone out of place, or vulnerable, or weak? Sure. But it’s not that much different from any other major city on the planet, where people are advised to avoid potentially dangerous situations and areas,” said McIndoe, who frequently travels to Mexico with his family. “Crime takes the path of least resistance," said Stephen Barth, a lawyer and professor of hospitality law at the University of Houston "You are generally going to be safer in hotels or resorts. Individual houses frequently do not have the same level of security and protection,” and may even be open or near to the beach, as the house in this incident was. McIndoe said criminals often target tourists at separate locations such as a bar or nightclub -- places criminals have been known to visit in Acapulco's tourist areas. Problems can arise when people put themselves at higher risk by venturing outside tourist areas, to fringe parts of town, for adventure experiences or to visit more rural areas, McIndoe said. Incidents ranging from petty crime to murder are rare, and tourists are frequently targeted "not because they were tourists, but because they were in the wrong place, doing the wrong activity,” like buying illegal substances or visiting establishments “in seedy parts of town,” he said. McIndoe, along with iJET analysts who specialize in Mexico, said it is possible that the gunmen are affiliated with a local gang. Gangs are prevalent in Acapulco and have recently increased their activity and are responsible for much of the city's violence. Gangs also often work on behalf of larger, organized crime groups. Acapulco specifically has seen a substantial rise in crime over the past few years, according to iJET. "What we're seeing is an erosion of respect for law enforcement," said Barth, founder of hospitalitylawyer.com, a website for hotel and restaurant professionals. "And when that happens, it is very difficult to protect citizens and tourists." Mexico is on the U.S. State Department “Current Travel Warnings” list. Diamante, the popular tourist area where this week's rapes took place, “has been less affected by violence.,” according to the State Department's website.

1. Traveling to Mexico? Violent crimes uncommon in tourist areas, risk expert says - Travel on NBCNews.com 2/8/13 12:51 PM
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Traveling to Mexico? Violent crimes
uncommon in tourist areas, risk expert
says
Violent crimes targeting travelers in Mexico -- such as the rape of six female Spanish tourists in
Acapulco earlier this week -- are uncommon, according to the head of a travel risk management
company.
“The vast majority of people do not experience these kinds of problems,” said Bruce McIndoe, president
of iJET International. “I do not see any organizations in Mexico whose intent it is to target tourists.
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"Are there criminals out there who target anyone out of place, or
vulnerable, or weak? Sure. But it’s not that much different from any
other major city on the planet, where people are advised to avoid
potentially dangerous situations and areas,” said McIndoe, who
frequently travels to Mexico with his family.
“Crime takes the path of least resistance," said Stephen Barth, a
lawyer and professor of hospitality law at the University of Houston
"You are generally going to be safer in hotels or resorts. Individual
houses frequently do not have the same level of security and
protection,” and may even be open or near to the beach, as the
house in this incident was.
McIndoe said criminals often target tourists at separate locations Advertise | AdChoices
such as a bar or nightclub -- places criminals have been known to
visit in Acapulco's tourist areas.
Problems can arise when people put themselves at higher risk by
venturing outside tourist areas, to fringe parts of town, for
http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/traveling-mexico-violent-crimes-uncommon-tourist-areas-risk-expert-says-1B8275682 Page 1 of 5

2. Traveling to Mexico? Violent crimes uncommon in tourist areas, risk expert says - Travel on NBCNews.com 2/8/13 12:51 PM
adventure experiences or to visit more rural areas, McIndoe said. Ads by Google
Incidents ranging from petty crime to murder are rare, and tourists
are frequently targeted "not because they were tourists, but because
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they were in the wrong place, doing the wrong activity,” like buying
illegal substances or visiting establishments “in seedy parts of town,” Designed for Pavement Contractors
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he said.
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McIndoe, along with iJET analysts who specialize in Mexico, said it is
possible that the gunmen are affiliated with a local gang. Gangs are
prevalent in Acapulco and have recently increased their activity and
are responsible for much of the city's violence.
Gangs also often work on behalf of larger, organized crime groups. Acapulco specifically has seen a
substantial rise in crime over the past few years, according to iJET.
"What we're seeing is an erosion of respect for law enforcement," said Barth, founder of
hospitalitylawyer.com, a website for hotel and restaurant professionals. "And when that happens, it is
very difficult to protect citizens and tourists."
Mexico is on the U.S. State Department “Current Travel Warnings” list. Diamante, the popular tourist
area where this week's rapes took place, “has been less affected by violence.,” according to the State
Department's website.
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While millions of Americans safely visit Mexico each year, the State
Department issued a travel warning in November 2012, noting that TOP STORY: Frenzy Over
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The website lists general and state-specific security information. Due Hlifestyles.com
to the number of kidnappings and disappearances in Mexico, it Men Over 40: Watch This!
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Guerrero, where Acapulco is located, avoiding non-essential travel in
certain areas, and best times of day and routes to travel are
addressed. Tourists in certain cities, including Acapulco “should Advertise | AdChoices
exercise caution and stay with in tourist areas.” Ads by Google
While news reports often highlight violent crimes, McIndoe said
travelers are more likely to be affected by weather, accidents -- slips,
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falls, traffic accidents, etc., getting sick, and having belongings stolen.
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Health issues should be more of a concern, he contends. "Food and
water, that’s what will ruin a vacation.” www.goipave.com
http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/traveling-mexico-violent-crimes-uncommon-tourist-areas-risk-expert-says-1B8275682 Page 2 of 5