Destination image and crime in Mexico: An analysis of foreign government travel advice
Autor
Monterrubio, J. CarlosFecha
2013Resumen
Destination image has been recognised as an influential component of travel decision
processes. Although organic sources of information play an important role in shaping destination image,
researchers have often ignored the types of sources and the information they deliver. In particular,
official websites where government travel advice is given, especially in relation to crime, have been
widely excluded from scholarly research. This paper analyses the relationship between crime-related
travel advice given by foreign governments and Mexico’s destination image. Qualitative content analysis
of official websites from the US, Canada, the UK and Spain reveals that the travel advice given relates
largely to the violence and insecurity that Mexico is currently experiencing. “No advisory in effect”,
“Exercise caution” and “Defer non-essential travel” are messages commonly found in the governments’
travel advice about Mexico.