In the beginning of March, Joel and I began volunteering for a new program called Mazatlan Tourist Aides. We sit for several hours once a week in a beautiful little square in the Centro area. There has been a lot of negative word that Mazatlan, along with other places in Mexico is no longer a safe place to come and visit. Although there is crime here, the crime primarily only involves anyone having something to do with the drug trade. We are not sure what the media is doing by blowing up incidents that happen here and cautioning people from vacationing in the south. There are suggestions we would have to those on vacation whether here or anywhere else. We want to make visitors feel welcomed and this is a positive way in which we can contribute to our "home". The following press release was sent out last week and we want to do our best to get the word out that you are encouraged to come and enjoy this beautiful city.
Joel and Janice
Joel and brother, Steve
A group of American and Canadian volunteers have organized themselves in Mazatlán, Mexico to provide a warm welcome for visitors. Armed with free information, maps and their own working knowledge of the pretty port town on the Sea of Cortez, the blue-shirted Mazatlán Tourist Aide volunteers dispense smiles along with down-to-earth info about their adopted city.
The group’s primary goal is to help cruise ship tourists with limited time, experience the city and find the things they’re interested in. Whether it’s strolling the town’s Centro Historico (with its beautiful restored turn-of-the-century buildings), a lazy afternoon at one of many beaches, enjoying fantastic seafood, or walking along the 12-mile oceanfront malecon (boardwalk), Mazatlán Tourist Aide volunteers provide detailed info – and lots of smiles - free of charge.
Mazatlán’s State Office of Tourism has produced special, easy-to-read “Follow the Blue Line” maps. The “blue line” refers to an actual line that will be painted in the street from the cruise ship docks to Plaza Machado, the historic and artistic center of Mazatlán. Volunteers in the plaza and along the way wear bright blue T-shirts printed with “Mazatlán Tourist Aide Volunteer.”
Currently there are five locations with two volunteers at each, with more volunteers walking in the most heavily traveled areas. Future plans include pairing volunteers with local college students studying tourism. As of March 15, the group had 40 volunteers, with more joining on a regular basis. Most are “second-homers” and live in Mazatlán 4-6 months a year, while others are year-round residents.
Mazatlán Tourist Aide Volunteers was created by Roger Culbertson, owner of Mazatlán Homes Real Estate, a 22 year resident and Tom Reaney, owner of Mazatlán Connection Travel Agency. The group has no commercial interests and does not promote any commercial enterprises; its sole purpose is to keep tourists from getting lost, and direct them to what they want to do: shopping, dining, sightseeing and any other areas of interest.
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