You’ve seen the Instagram posts and Tweets debunking perceptions that Mexico is unsafe. Yet, even though the country is one of the most visited in the world, alarming headlines alluding to crime and violence persist.

While there’s no denying the uptick in violence in different areas of the country, the fact is that the vast majority of crime takes place far from tourist centers. The truth of the matter is that the typical traveler vacationing in Mexico will not be impacted by crime or violence.

To provide some perspective on the country’s safety situation for your clients, here’s an update from three of Mexico’s major tourism destinations.

Los Cabos

Over the past year, Los Cabos instituted a stringent five-point security plan in response to criminal violence that resulted in a 90 percent decrease in incidents of crime.

The positive outcome has been measurable. “We’re closing 2018 with very strong [tourism] growth. Overall, the year is going to close with 7 percent growth overall in terms of tourists to the destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board.

“We’re going to exceed 2.7 million tourists per year to Los Cabos. Our safety record is now known and shared by travel advisors and consumers as well. We have a very loyal base of visitors. Seven out of 10 of our visitors are repeaters. And our message that Los Cabos is safe has connected with the market.”

Another clear sign that points to a very strong vote of confidence is a continued investment not only in Los Cabos’ tourism infrastructure, but also in that of other Mexican destinations as well. Over the past two years, Los Cabos has added well over 4,000 new hotel rooms in high-end properties, with more to come for 2019.

Los Cabos will also welcome new flights from Las Vegas, Chicago Midway, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati, among others.

Quintana Roo

The Mexican Caribbean takes safety issues very seriously, stressed Darío Flota Ocampo, director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board. “We have elevated security throughout the destination to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors,” he said. “Tourism is an integral part of Cancun’s economy, and last year alone the destination received 14 million visitors of which 42 percent were repeat guests.”

Flota added, “The incidents of violence are isolated incidents in areas remote from the destination’s tourist zone and no tourists have been involved. It is our commitment to continue increasing our security protocols and providing guests with the best experiences our beautiful destination has to offer.”

There will be at least 35 projects in the works for Cancun and the Riviera Maya by the end of 2019.

As for airlift, Quintana Roo will soon be welcoming a number of new direct international flights to the recently expanded Cancun International Airport, as well as expanding service from existing routes.

Mazatlán

While the state of Sinaloa is under a Level 4 (do not travel) advisory, it permits travel within Mazatlán’s bustling tourist center, comprising the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) and the restored historic town center. Security protocols, updated in 2012, included high-resolution surveillance cameras in key areas and a bilingual tourist police force deployed in areas frequented by visitors.

Regardless of the advisory, tourism numbers continue to climb, with 3 million travelers expected to visit Mazatlán this year, up from 2.7 million in 2017. This year there were 89 cruise ship calls to the destination’s port, as well.

“The rising popularity of travel to the tourism zones of Mazatlán has resulted in a spike in travel demand, particularly among savvy Millennials looking for enticingly affordable luxury beachfront accommodations, fun in the sun and a strong dose of cultural authenticity along with a large serving of culinary delights,” said Mazatlán Secretary of Tourism Oscar Pérez.

The city has, in fact, recently won numerous awards and accolades from such publications as Forbes, American Express Travel, and US News & World Report as a top destination in a variety of categories.

Mazatlán invested heavily in a new boardwalk and historic center, opened new parks, modernized the popular baseball stadium, and has at least two new hotels under construction. Other top properties like El Cid and Pueblo Bonito have received multimillion-dollar renovations. Additionally, the city is constructing a new aquarium.

The destination has also received new flights from both the U.S. and Canada.