Travel agent says Mexican tourist spots safe despite recent shootings

After two shootings in as many days, the Cancun area hasn’t scared away Saskatoon tourists.

Travel agent Kelly Klassen was in Playa Del Carmen at the time of a deadly nightclub shooting that killed five people – including one Canadian – during an electronic music festival on Jan. 16.

“I only knew about it because of social media,” said Klassen, who just returned to Saskatoon from the Mexican city.

“If you stay on your resort and don’t go to private nightclubs, you’ll be fine.”

A day later, a gun battle at a state prosecutor’s office in Cancun left four people, including a police officer, dead.

Klassen said she has 30-40 people still going to the Cancun area at various times in the next 13 days.

“None of my clients have even thought about cancelling, nor have they even called to ask my opinion on the situation,” she said.

The shootings have triggered a warning to visitors from the U.S. government.

“I really think the media blows the Mexico shootings out of proportion,” she said. “Shootings happen throughout Canada and never get that much attention.”

Canada updates travel advisory

In the wake of deadly shootings this week in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Ottawa has updated its travel advisory for Mexico.
 
It’s asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel in northern and western states.
 
While the shootings played a part in the advisory, the popular tourist cities are not included.