Tourism

Radio television the University of Texas presents

the Yankee dollar.

The Yankee dollar What is it Bud. What will it buy.

Radio television. University of Texas in cooperation with the National Association

of educational broadcasters invites you to tour Mexico with Richard Ariano

as he talks to political leaders and to voters to management and to labor

to rich to poor to the people of Mexico. One

thing will guide these conversations. What is the American dollar bought south of our

border. What can it buy. And above all what image of us is our

money creating.

American money finds its way into Latin American countries in different ways. Cheap

of these are through foreign aid. The federal dollars through monies spent by vacationers the

tourist dollar and through money invested by businessmen. The company dollar.

Is the channels through which our money flows or fails to flow affect the image it creates

for Mexico.

Tourism has indeed been the industry without smokestacks. No other

single source of foreign exchange can match the contribution which the tourist dollar makes to the

Mexican balance of payments. In recent years approximately half

of the total contribution to dollar earnings came from tourism and border trade.

It might also be noted that tourism has consistently outranks mining petroleum

construction or transport insofar as contribution to the national

product. Because of the vital importance that the dollar has

been to the Mexican economy strenuous efforts have been made by the Mexican government to

make tourism a growth industry. Recently the Bureau of

tourism has been elevated to sub-Cabinet rank ex-president Miguel

all the money has been appointed to head up a new commission designed to open up new avenues of

tourist trade. The traditional hospitality of the Mexican is being

supplemented with modern business methods and know how. Designed to give the American tourist

more for his daughter and him stimulate even greater influxes of vacationing

visitors. In terms of overall attractions few if any

nearby nations can match the delights of Mexico. From deep sea fishing

ports located on the tropical and desert ghost lines through the exhilarating nip of

Cold Mountain air in the Central Plateau Mexico offers something to all

rustic primitiveness moving into ultra modern luxury. Couple this with

century old traditions of hospitality to foreign visitors. And it is readily evident

why a North American visitors been close to 500 million dollars per year

enjoying themselves in Mexico.

In order to obtain first hand information about this vital Mexican industry radio

television the University of Texas at Mr. Richard Ariano to Mexico City

to talk with Don Ricardo a startled bird managing director of the Mexican tourist

Association.

Here is a recording of that interview.

I'm speaking with Lisa and she other than Ricardo a style that Berg was the managing

director of the Mexican tourist Association in Spanish known as the source Yes you

and me he kind of attorneys more decency other than because of them.

Yes we'll refer to him down to Carlow has been connected with this organization for many years

and we consider it quite a privilege to be able to interview him here in Mexico

City. Undercover Would you mind telling us how long you have been working with the

Mexican tourist Association.

Well I might say that I've been connected with the Mexican tourism which

Asian or as they always say and it is in this parish to see him

he got no reason for the past twenty four years

ever sees it was pounded by a group of civic

spirited men in this city. But I also would like to say that.

While at the beginning. I only was a member of the board then

afterwards managing director for the past two years have been the chairman of the

board to my credit and however I handle all the details

just seem as if it were an employee is the

specific purpose of this organization undercover to.

Bring as many vicious tourists to Mexico from all over

the world. But of course we realize that the

fielding in the case of Mexico where principle is limited to a.

North American company and I may say kind of and peacefully the United States

in neighboring countries in the Caribbean like Puerto Rico and Central

America. If I have a small fortress of the South. But of course we also are

interested in bringing tourists from Europe and there we are being

brothers or test lately in South America and like you're from. Over

the world we also assume people will

give information when they want to go abroad. But

actually we're interested in having people come to Mexicans paying.

Their money the dollars I may say in this country.

This is quite interesting because they series of this program entitled The title

of the series of this program has been the Yankee dollar and we have been interested in examining

some of the effects that the Yankee dollar has in coming

into Mexico through the different channels specifically in your case we are interested in finding

out what some of the disadvantages or advantages of the dollars brought

down by the tourist are.

Well these are the benefits of what's wherever and having us in Mexico

receive it dollars and each year more dollars. That was 25

years ago there were really any tourists come to Mexico there was a small trickle of

visitors actually coming to Mexico but

there are more.

Point of contact with the border might explain that there

are roads highways. And there also air

transportation and so forth.

Why it's possible to bring in more visitors. And furthermore there is

more interest in foreign countries to visit secure as we have been

enjoying during the past 25 years.

Absolute peace and order and what's more we have other nice

to put up to date hotels and other facilities

to the tourist so it makes it quite open to visit

Plaxico. Furthermore which means a lot of attraction to

the rate of exchange for the benefit of the visitor who brings in dives.

You mentioned briefly that we haven't had or that Mexico has not

had any political trouble any serious political disturbances for

many many years now and I'm certain some of the

press in the United States recently has commented on some of the disorders in the northern part of the country.

Would you mind commenting on such things for us.

Well I have a federal commission to actually refute in writing some of

these. Wild you might call it exaggerated reports.

Anything which can be published in any foreign country

newspaper is news school

or.

Social services to the poor people. We do something which is the

ordinary way.

It doesn't attract the news but menthol or they really are a foreign country.

They were interested in finding out what's wrong with our neighbors that are exactly

what they are.

During the long wait that's why I especially

if it affects in this case Americans living in this country were

visitors that come to this country.

But those incidents that you referred to were really

very very minor importance. They did not do anything

worthwhile.

Well that's my impression generally. I have been visiting Mexico for many

years and have yet to hear of anybody that was hurt in a

revolutionary or any type thing of that sort. As a matter of fact I can

confidently state that this is something of the past in Mexico would you agree.

Well it's something of the past of the time that I don't know what you are. You have the power to do anything probably in the

future. But we believe that we have accomplished something in Mexico to the extent

that we might doubt and see into the future and visualize that these

countries want to continue in peace forever and ever.

Your attitude towards the North American tourist then is one of welcomed with open

arms as I understand.

This in Generally speaking yes absolutely we welcome all the visitors to

Mexico. I refer particular to the American visitor but I like to

mention too that we welcome visitors from all the countries in the

world. I've mentioned before clearly as they are coming to Mexico

in larger numbers each year because they have already found out that it's

this country where they can see if I can get things that they'd never have

occasion to get acquainted with in other countries for six finale and

come to the United States seem great flocks because the border is very very

long and the great masses of population both in Canada and the

United States are exactly boring each other but they were

also getting a good share of it. We expect to have more and more in the future.

Do you have any idea on the kind of approximately how many dollars are brought down

by North American tourists over a year span.

Well I myself. Say that Jerry referring only to last year.

It's a year of moot question.

When the mission is underway because some people use some figures are as you some of the

figures but here in the best interest as Association we venture to say that we

analyze all sources say We come to the conclusion that last year

exactly seven hundred million dollars came from their seats.

Brought in by tourists that includes the money is spent by the border.

Even issue with this point. The money spent at the bar I like to add that much of it goes

back to United States and also I like to mention now that we are talking about

figures that the Mexicans spend a lot of money in their seats

principally because Mexico is even though I'm in in fewer number

than Americans coming to Mexico they go to the same principle it to do some

shopping and then when the Mexican actually may be saving the whole year

ours was to bring things from the States for himself for his family

and for his friends. So our. I want to clarify

that the balance is and I favor it.

We keep some of the dollars makes these U.S.

dollars a little different from a dollar of investment in the sense that

a very very small part of them returns immediately to the United States as I

understand it a large percentage of the dollar that is spent here by the tourist

stays in Mexico. Concretely that is that it's spent for goods and services in

Mexico and very little of it is exploited. Is this a correct impression.

Yes that's the correct impression in all respects. All of that money that

we're in but is for services and.

Certain facilities and maybe for transportation sometimes maybe for

gasoline things at store for goods are actually consume. So out of it I

say amazing.

What specific services would you recommend that the American tourist

coming to mexico seek out before he comes down in order that his trip may be more

enjoyable that he may have a more well planned trip.

Well I would recommend every tour is a comes to foreign countries that

he get in contact with a travel agent by all means because there are some seasoned

travelers that do not require any services of any

sort or they don't approach any time a travel agent. But by all means it advisable

to have a reservation made at hotels especially if they were

in the heavy seasons and that is to say with any

qualifications it's always advisable to consult a travel

agent before traveling to any other foreign country. Here in

Mexico there are many people that come and use their cars

and they don't want to counter any difficulties because

as a matter of fact even if I were laying which span is it they can always find some of the

people that talk English. So it's not difficult at all for any truth come from Mexico

even if they don't consult anybody in advance.

Of course there is a certain knowledge or reading some books will add to the interest

of what they see afterwards for instance I might mention if someone is interested in the

archaeology he would like to know first where he's going to see some of the

ruins or some of the relics that we have or in various in many

parts of Mexico and so he will enjoy his trip

or if he's coming to any other particular town if he gets you know in

advance some further research on Blitzer. Prizes

of hotels and other facilities here were not

protected here feeling happier when he returned to his country.

This year I've been ization maintain direct contact with the travel agents in the United

States.

No we do not maintain true direct contact I would try to listen to the SES

because I would like to explain further that these Mexican Tourism Association

is the number of a decision we do not receive

any commissions from anybody at any time from any source

and then the institution is supported by ISS

people and forums who are really interested in tourism.

Not interested at all interested but they believe that whatever is done to improve

the economy of the country is going to be good for everybody.

In other words the US dollar let's call it away is

spent in this country is going to be

beneficial to the economy at large and so there are many people practically

kind of the front is going to be benefit by it. So it's good for everybody.

There are ramifications then to the tourist dollar. It's not only the tourist services that

benefit from them but the economy at large. I beg your pardon I didn't know that.

In other words you are as I understand you you stated the tourist dollar benefits

many more people than just merely those engaged in tourism or years of railways Yes

surely.

Well think for instance it's so obvious that it may not need an explanation if

someone comes to their hotel here in Mexico City here. I don't

want to mention a particular detail because I'm not advertising any and whatever and they're all our

friends and.

But after they pay their bills at the hotel

that money whether it's paid in U.S. currency or any other currency

why it goes into the. Into the treasure of the hotel.

But of what percentage of that. Money's

going to be retained by the hotel when they this trip that their business idea to be sure.

Perhaps only 8 percent 9 or 10 percent. The rest of that money 90

percent are actually going to pay salaries to the employees

to purchase milk or meat or pay taxes to the

government for many other items.

So therefore the minute it goes into the milkman or the butcher and all

that it goes through another channel which it has no bearing directly

with tourism. But if their butcher is very prosperous and the kind of tourism he's

going to buy a car to morrow and therefore you are going to see that there will be

but only because it's going to be proved by that that there it's an endless chain that is to

say you can never see the end of that towards dollars spent in Mexico.

Well thank you very much we certainly appreciate this information.

Mr Ariano next interviewed Mr Ernst learned burger manager of the restaurant

chalet Suisse up.

This is Richard at a ya know we're in Mexico City and certainly what is one of the most

popular restaurants in the city for tourists and for the Mexicans This is the chalet

Suisse where there is the Swiss chalet that is run by Mr. Lynn

Badger was born in Mexico for the past 15 years in the area. Happy to be

able to bring you a question of this program from a restaurant that is considered to

be a delight for any and all tourists in Mexico City.

How long ago did you come to Mexico. Exactly 15 years ago. Did you come

specifically to be in the restaurant business was this your game. Well they

call me here to manage the Smiths club here of course I

thought anything is alright for me as long as I could get into this country oh which I

heard some people said it was kind of a kind eyes. I thought it was in

many respects especially at tourist scene but I

found out when I once I was here I found out that I had a great

and a great future. My professional restaurant is sincere

and as everybody knows everything

about everything must be finished. So I came out in Mexico

and it took me very little time to find out there is a future with

tourism specifically is what we are interested in today and we are

very curious would like to know what the reaction is of the average restaurant to where those

people that cater to Mexico with respect to the Yankee dollar

is this is an important part in your business do you feel that its a necessity in

your kitchen. Let's say

unfortunately everybody thinks that.

Some think it should come down here.

We have to make

it. It's good for the country. At least it's better

to make it

personal. It is that all of it

makes you go on to something although you do think possibly this is quite interesting. So

you think that it is better to have the Yankee dollar down here than left on the basis

of services rather than memory. That's just what I mean. I would like

to have everybody here think the same way as I do.

Instead of having a loan on it it worked a little harder because

the Americans are aware in spending that a

fabulous piece of money for myself

I can say I did well enough and I was 11 years that I owned is a restaurant

and I'm teaching what other people do the same expected to be

brought into your drive and

as a natural way to work

against money. This is quite interesting because you

seem to do a tremendous business here in a restaurant here dish on this research. In fact as

I came in the day I noticed that there were still quite a number of people waiting here. Why is it that

you can go places in Mexico City and there is no waiting line and yet invariably

many times that I've come here to wait in line

but enough people to indicate at the front is accident. Well

for some eight years ago an interview with

the triple A The American Automobile Association its chief

inspector came to my restaurant and said

I mean I just put jurist on in my case so well he

explained it.

But I found out later on that that was my luckiest moment of my life. He

made a very small cut

in the book that this is a restaurant if you will not be cheated you

get the money is worse. The phone is

going to be in my life.

The way of business here is not to get the customer just to see

a comment that has to go any place where

they are something they want them to be.

They instead to the restaurant themselves

which unfortunately in Mexico is still a

drain to get a seat in the

restaurant. Just giving the service

less expensive and that is the

answer to the success of this restaurant. But I'm sure that it certainly is because I'm certain that you

do a very large repeat business here. I myself does it every time I'm in Mexico City.

I'm quite interested in another aspect is this. You have a lot of Torii of the

American tourist and you're quite complimentary to him. But do you ever have any problems with the

American tourists. We will probably

be yourself serving.

The people. Cause my mom's in Mexico if they came

that would cause trouble in your country. They think they are the big

shots and they want to show people here

they are in every respect. They are not the welcome part

I would say 95 percent of visitors down here

leaving a wonderful and

happy if they can make it in one day. That is not

our fault if we don't reach the present.

Just take the case for your own country. You will never see a restaurant owner that says

my clients. For someone. Who. Does not even in your

families want them. I'm 100 percent.

Understanding.

The tree in the neighborhood or annoying

little family itself. You think that the president and especially his wife really are

in Mexico as far as tourism is concerned.

I would even rear sado they dread if you know

they double that confidence which the Mexicans have in the States before.

Twice as much you know. And we feel it when the

people that come and visit us every day. Last year at this

time we had a good July since the

first of July up to this day.

We have already about it is a noisy plans and we expect at least

Mrs. Kennedy's visit the president's visit. Well my

ammunition instanter he will make side. Mr..

Kennedy himself to come and visit this country. But soon found out it's.

Just. Been about hours away. When she's

on television me in Spanish I watch instead of

ice and I mistook me as a man in an argument

that man is trying to stay in business.

Wonderful to be able to come in and nation and there is a pleasure

in our story and getting it so to

say the nation of Mexico than in the office

that looks. Women said she wasn't a busines wife she

said the number one starting with Mr. Ambassador we

certainly thank you very much for this interview you've been very kind with us.

We leave you now Ed. I was recently in Mexico City.

This is the first in a series of interviews conducted by Richard Ariano in Mexico.

Mr. Ariano has interviewed Don Ricardo's thought a bird managing director of the

Mexican tourist Association. And Mr. Ernst learned burger manager of the restaurant

chalets we so in Mexico City.

The Yankee dollar was produced by R. S. Norris and directed by B W Crocker at

Radio Television. The University of Texas under a grant in aid from the National

Association of educational broadcasters.

This is the N.A. E.B. Radio Network.