SAN DIEGO ( Border Report ) — According to a survey, Baja officials say insecurity and traffic congestion are the biggest reasons why tourists continue to stay away from cities such as Tijuana.
“Those are the themes we need to focus on,” said Melissa Pacheco Silveyra, president of the city’s Commission on Tourism and Economic Development. “Crossing the border to and from San Ysidro needs to get easier, so people can come here and enjoy themselves in Tijuana.”
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Pacheco Silveyra told reporters on Wednesday that traffic congestion is a bigger factor than the sense of insecurity.
“Some people don’t feel safe coming here, but the long waits at the border are the bigger concern.”
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Pacheco Silveyra, who is also a city council member, insisted they need to find ways to expedite crossings linking Baja with the U.S.
“We are working with leaders from both sides to figure this out, going back and forth needs to be easier, especially for people who live in Tijuana,” she said. “This is not going to change unless we coordinate strategies to make it happen.”