Removing Obstacles to Mexican travel will Help Strengthen U.S. Economy
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and fellow border governors from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and various Mexican states have signed an agreement that urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove obstacles to Mexican travel into the United States, and provides recommendations that will improve security and ease of travel.
Since Mexico is California’s number one inbound market, generating approximately $1.58 billion in spending, declines in that market would have a major impact on our economy, including loss of jobs. In my role as national chair for the Travel Industry Association, I’m also concerned about what impeding travel would mean to the U.S. travel industry and economy. Just a five percent decline in overnight visitation from Mexico would mean a loss of approximately 700,000 travelers and over $400 million in spending – with a disproportionate impact on America’s border states, especially California.