Baja Image Survey by BajaYes.com

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Introduction An effort was undertaken to identify the image perceptions of Baja California Mexico, as a starting point and foundation for the development of promotional targets and messaging for Baja. An online anonymous survey was developed by BajaYes.com, and Bart Allen Berry lead researcher in early June 2011. With another year of economic recession and negative PR for Mexico, Baja continues to strive for ways to turn perceptions around, and to promote itself more effectively. This study is designed to provide further clarification and weighting of Baja's image issues- as seen by the survey respondent group, including promotion and development suggestions.

Methodology Mexican Residents, Expatriate Residents, and Visitors were surveyed online with a 12 question survey including demographic self identification, multiple choice and 'add in' questions, likert scale questions, and open ended comments. Surveys were published through Baja email lists in Baja and Baja Sur, BajaYes.com face book linking, Bajayes.com web portal and various Baja group bulletin boards. The survey was left open for five days, and enjoyed a consistent response from interested contributors. The first 147 respondents were included here in this report. Baja Image Survey Respondents self-identified in the groups shown below.

BAJA IMAGE SURVEY RESPONDENTS (147 Total)

Other

Self Identified Group

Business Owner In Baja

Mexican Resident

Frequent Visitor

Part Time Resident

Retiree In Baja

Expatriot Resident

Number Of Respondents

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

au ra nt s

/W Be ine ac he s M u Sh sic op pi n N g at ur e R Fis oa hi n d Tr g ip / O RV H f ik in f R o g/ C ad lim bi n Sa g i Ka ling ya ki ng G M o Ar ed H lf t/M ica ors us l T es eu ou r m s/ ism C ul tu O r ut Su e re rf i ac ng h/ C Vo Pe om o lu m nt ple un ee ity ris /S oc Cl m i m ia l A at ct e iv it C ies am M ot pin or g Ki cyc te lin bo g ar di ng Ph Sc u ot og ba R rap ea h lE y st at e

R es t

Number Of Respondents

Respondents were mostly made up of individuals with 2 years or more in Baja.

Respondent Baja Experience

More Than 5 Years

2 to 5 Years

Less Than 1 Year

The respondents indicated their favorite activities in Baja:

Favorite Baja Activities

160

140

120

100

Activity

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Survey respondents indicated what they thought were the best reasons to come to Baja.

Best Reasons To Come To Baja

Number of Responses

in e W

ol f G

Cr im Pr e ox im ity to U S

Lo w

Ac tiv iti

Cu ltu re

Fi sh in g

Pa ce

R el ax in g

Be ac he s

fL iv in g

ild s/ W

Co st O

er ne ss

he r ea t ce an

ur e/ Be au ty /O N at

ar m

Fr ie nd ly

Pe op le

Reasons

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Survey respondents shared their opinions about why more people aren't coming to Baja:

Your Opinion About Why More Aren't Coming To Baja

Real Estate Fraud

Lack of Non-Stop Carriers

Bad Marketing By Baja

Corrupt Government

Reason

Border Hassles

Corrupt Police

Economic Dow nturn

Cartel Violence

Fear/Safety/Security

Bad Press/US Media

100

Num ber Of Responses

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Survey respondents shared their opinions about what they thought a positive message about Baja should be:

What Should The Message About Baja Be? (Most frequently occurring responses)

Tranquil/Peaceful

Best Weather

Lots Of Happy Americans Living Here

Message

Baja If Affordable

Baja Has Great Activities/Attractions

Baja Is Improving- Fixing Problems

Baja Is Friendly/Hospitable

Baja Is Beautiful/Wilderness

Baja Is Safe/Safer Than Many Places

Frequency

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Participants were asked to rate the following questions on a scale of 1 - (Lowest) to 10 - (Highest).

The following are the mean (average of all responses) for each question:

I Feel Safe In Baja

7.51

Baja Is One Of The Best Places To Live In The World 6.73

I Would Recommend My Family And Friends To Visit Baja

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

8.26

Respondents shared their ideas for how to improve tourism in Baja:

Improve police training and image The entire Mexican government needs to be cleaned up . There is too much corruption from the top down.

Bring people in a bus and escort them their first time (but make it FUN and not a pressure sell) open to several businesses) not a monopoly escorted their first time. They need to feel safe their first time. I meet people in San Felipe to help them orient

Flood the US market with all the positive things about Baja

I would invite journalist from southern ca Arizona , Mexico and Texas. pay their way and house them at the RB Hotel. Have a different family adopt journalist for a meal. the journalist would meet 3 different peeps a day. wine country invites into our home.

The biggest problem is the safety image change that.

Waiting time at border. Get more tourist here Spay/neuter/feed and care for your animals and STOP the SELLING OF PUPPIES on the streets; its uncivilized and appalling and should be illegal.

Shoot all the reporters. And get AAA to back off and let people know its safe. get the big American companies out

Promote nature tourism. Especially bird watching.

keep up radio commercials/get [positive newspaper[ coverage of events/ \Fast track passes need to be readily available for nonresidents. Also, maybe look at the Mexican car insurance for travelers... very expensive for those who rent cars in the US to

Somehow counter the poor and unfair U.S. press reports. Put dishonest real estate developers in jail. Mexican families have to stop tolerating criminals in their midst. Until the families start telling the individuals to stop it, and then ostracizing them the criminals will continue.

Take care of security Keep up the work they are doing to promote Baja.

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Ideas to improve tourism in Baja continued.. Clean up, get clear information to potential visitors, government and police more responsive to problems as they arise. More positive PR in the US media...maybe from actual folks who live here stop the bad publicity More ad campaigns about the safety here. Somehow get the word out that we ARE safe if you are not involved in the drug world Spend more to combat the negative press generated by the US tourist industry Create a North America Union similar to the European one....open borders. I use Face book regularly to tell everyone I know of the great cultural events we have here and to show them how nice it really is and that there is NO DANGER TO tourists here!! None. Its quite a challenge. get a group of retirees who are willing to talk to anyone seeking information then create a web sit where those who are curious can ask questions and be put in contact with someone who can honestly answer those questions. Address the drug problem but tell people that it isn&#039;t here Clean it up! The corruption and all the trash that is also out of control! Clean up the streets and beaches and get rid of the pimps and drug pushers. Make the tourist feel welcome. This is an area that relies on tourism for its survival. It is amazing how poorly tourists are treated by business owners and also by those who lower crime rates, improve security TV ad and magazine ad campaign in the US... help those of us that are already spending tens of thousands of dollars each year and months of our own time in the States trying to give a positive message. Let em know about the blowhole. Continue to push for articles in the US papers about the safety here. Better protection of the environment and fisheries Counter the info people are getting in the U.S. Advertise to Europeans, people who have a clue what travel is about. Promote our good places and good food Baja needs a Crisis Management Team focusing in a MAJOR media campaign to change the perception of the people More activities more activities such as more races, deep sea fishing, boat races, etc. light highways, better entertainment, more lanes north More police and soldiers on the highways Publish - blogs, articles, etc. on the safety of Baja Get more people that have come recently to Baja California to speak out for Baja California Focus on all levels needs to be on keeping the environment clean and healthy to attract tourism, investment and permanent residents of a high caliber In Baja Sur, the trash is probably the first thing that needs to be addressed. Americans see the trash . ive talk to the director of tourism in Mulege and suggested trash clean up and to develop municipal dumps that actually working Everyone in the world now uses the Internet, so that is where the Baja should be heavily promoted. Online websites, newspapers etc. better participation and community involving. To create new tourism products and to focus on markets niche less US Immigrants Improve service to clients Baja needs a knowledgeable person/liaison to promote and assure potential tourists of the great places and things that Baja California offers visitors. legalize marijuana people don't feel free in the states anymore Convey that message Americans in Baja need to be more proactive with their friends and family regarding safe conditions there. Cater more to families and mature adults. Get rid of the dives that cater to drunken gringos. It is time to stop shoving the problem under the carpet and instead embrace a carefully orchestrated solution & help combine government resources on a peninsula-wide basis with the formidable hotel associations, individual businesses, local press develop too quickly, without forethought Maybe an ad campaign? better publicity ALLOW U.S. ARMY TO GO IN AND ARREST DRUG RUNNERS, MURDERERS AND ILLEGAL COYOTES

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Ads ran in the US, especially San Diego on TV, Radio & Print. high profile individuals giving testimony Eliminate drug traffic lower prices, get airlines and hotels involved to lower prices competitive with Cancun and Puerta Vallarta Prove you've addressed corruption and safety and provide a better signage program for tourists. Get rid of graffiti along Hwy 1, better PR on dealing with drug violence Mejorar la calidad de servicios Whale museum or aquarium get airlines and hotels to lower rates Tourism loyalty card from Bajayes.com Positive publicity that shows the safe and relax lifestyle. Work with the local government to continue to have our State be the safest in Mexico and in the world if possible. a good package of hotel-restaurant-activities improve ecotourism addressing the violence issue Offer special bus tours; i.e. shopping, sightseeing, food, historical outings. clean it up! Get the message out that this is a safe, happy wonderful place to live and visit. I don't know what can be done. A plethora of mini-videos/interviews/walk-throughs of everyday life here (Im writing a series of these as we speak) Not too professionally done so that viewers will not simply "shine on" items as commercial glitz PRICE THINGS TO BRING PEOPLE IN, VALUE FOR WHAT THEY ARE GETTING Safety for all not just tourists Reduce border crossing time lower the cost of the cuota and fix the roads Targeted publicity. Mexican Representatives on popular US TV programs cleaner environment enforce laws currently on the books tourist articles in other countries&#039; newspapers. few write about baja clean up, remove litter Fight the U.S. press Let Americans know how wonderful the Mexicans are Modern, clean accommodations are mandatory. Put out statistics about the crime. It is worse in L.A. Even Washington D.C. L.A. More advertising in the USA. Promote sightseeing tours. the media is only to deliver negative never the positive and we all know they have had a field day with baja the last 5 years.. i understand there is things that happen every where in the world.. but please some day say some thing nice.. i fell sorry for Package deals at good hotels, ease of travel across border Better advertising, quality lodgings, airline service shorten time at border crossings, more street lights Keep it the same. Drugs will never be eliminated just like the U.S. sponsor weekend all-inclusive bus trips RT from San Diego/L.A. to sightsee/info-gather just keep being positive More affordable activities & low cost proven for housing as prices have fallen faster up "north" Armed mercenaries to accompany tourists 24/7 Rosarito (where I live) needs a Malacon, with beach accessible on one side, a walking area, a roadway and business on the other. A place for people to gather, feel comfortable and enjoy the ambiance and fun. Make it actually be more like the colorful Positive articles in USA media Stress safety and governmental changes to ensure the safety of tourists in Baja. Explain the need for soldiers so tourists will expect to see them and feel safer when the soldiers are present. positive media Stop the bad press. I try to dispel the notion that it is dangerous to come to Rosarito on a person by person basis. See last entry. Do something about the border wait time for people coming into and out of Mexico. Improve security and economic development, start executing drug dealers and criminals (China has no major problems because they take care of business with the criminals), why is the Mexican government so weak and impotent with criminals? Possibly because Better roads, for one.

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

The biggest problem is the border wait...people hate that. Clean up the areas, fix the roads, more public advertisement of some sort and ask the US not to put out a canned warning every spring more positive stories sent to all major news outlet and magazines. I used to be an editor of a tourist magazine and was always looking for articles to fill empty space. I love living in Paradise Stop slowing border traffic with control arms Media campaign from here Just ask I will tell, to many to list here Work more closely with U.S. TV and newspapers Promotions, Sales, Events improve law enforcement image get semis off the roads and fix the streets

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Respondents were asked what they thought could be done to improve things for businesses in Baja: Work on getting more tourists and promote beautiful and safe areas for living Get Fox studio back into competition without govt intervening. the rest will follow i want the best for Baja and i would volunteer to assist any way i can Give the tourist something for their money instead of cutting so many corners. Make a good presentation and act like you care. We have to work on the media for help. Need to let people know its ok to come down here. more old fashioned mom and pop taco stands Encourage more tourism. Fight crime in every way. The Venders, Hotels, Restaurants are trying very hard and are open and gracious. It is the developers who have ruined it for them. There would be many more people living and vacationing in San Felipe right now if they were forced to finish what they started Business needs to find a need, something wanted, and fill it. People will come if you have something they want, cant get elsewhere, and is affordable. Better roads so you aren't afraid to go on some roads with low profile vehicles Collaboration is very important. banking services are not very efficient. On-line banking services, in some cases are not very well done,. and they and all bank machines need to be bilingual Get the airport up and running in San Felipe take care of security They are trying. Things will improve when and if tourism returns to better levels. Attracting more cruise ships, advertising in the US about how wonderful it is here. get more people coming Need to counter the image that business is corrupt here. MOST are not. Well, I would not be putting in Parking Meters downtown Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo! The Mexican government MUST standardize its rules and regulations Repeal NAFTA. We need more working together between tourism, cruise ship personnel, and tour companies - working with the shop keepers and hotel/restaurant owners. Better Governance. Its a joke. Taxes do not encourage investment Trashcans everywhere that are emptied, clean up the Pemex bathrooms, they are disgusting most of the time, neuter all the poor dogs that end up starving or being run over or abused, make it safe and clean, then people will come. Businesses should teach their employees basic English and also customer care skills. taxes are too high Have the state and the municipalities care about the business owners. Work together on sharing the market (everybody competes for Tuesday night). Better networking and business groups See above i don't know Tours They need to advertise their sales, and discounts, otherwise people don&#039;t know! Also, the government needs to clean and beautify their cities Electric company cannot triple our bill. group marketing, more lanes north, for the tourists none bus packages to Baja to avoid border hassle Better marketing and branding

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Professionalize its public servants and people, less improvisation Stop wasting money in promotional "schemes" and concentrate resources where they really count Transportacion economica taxis economicos All businesses should have a current website (like mine!) that blog regularly about local attractions and/or special offers for visitors coming to the Baja work on clusters, to create more matchmaking between businessmen and invest opportunities, also to create better communication between people involved in funds and financial programs with small and medium entrepreneurs let them do things their way and don't turn this into a southern US let them do things their way and don't turn this into a southern US A person/persons to assist in promoting commerce and tourism within the State of Baja California. legalize marjuana..smoking in bars Have more family activity in those beautiful beaches in Ensenada Use their services! Businesses should police themselves and raise the standards for all businesses. less phony surveys Not enough space to answer Realize why people visit Baja in the first place, and dont ruin it! More tourism. not sure MAKE THE STREETS SAFE FROM KIDNAPPING, MURDER, CORRUPTION networking and linking with each others web sites. advertising reflecting and addressing the safety concerns Less Beauracracy educate the public so they want to come to Mexico See above Clean facilities, no graffiti, make it easy for tourists to be patrons Education more children friendly activities increase tourism Tourism loyalty card for Baja Better streets, more parking spaces, less expensive or free parking spaces, Name tags in streets, and of course tourism Marketing, marketing, marketing and education. attractive price in all get facilities from the government to work with tourist, like not charging a lot just for having a place or selling burritos, some like that. Also let other people to work with the ship that arrives to the port in Ensenada communicating better with the news agencies about how the drug violence is not effecting most spots in Baja Bilingual is necessary because of proximity to border. better publicity No parking meters! More tourists, better economy for the locals. From a Senior Challenged point of view: more "handicapped" parking, curbing+++ IMPROVE SAFTEY, OTHERWISE YOU LOOSE THE CRUZE SHIPS AND TOURISTS Promote all of Baja and its assets not just spring break or Los Cabos Clean up the outside of your business, improve parking Improve service training -- bilingual, responsiveness, follow-through, energetic and warm greetings upon entering business, recognize person is present even if clerk, etc is busy business will improve with changes to the above-mentioned stop mordida NO PARKING METERS/ more tourism through advertising clean, clean, clean Fight the U.S. press They really need the tourism to increase the way it used to be Fix the roads and line them. People don&#039;t want to drive on unsafe roads especially at night. Stop raising prices. Offer Fast Track as most people do NOT want to wait in the long lines at the border. help the small business stay in business.. these people have suffered from the news

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Need to lower prices when not doing well, not RAISE them More competitive prices, better selection of goods. Workshop for all businessmen and shop owners regarding mentality of non-Mexican customers. including a version of the BBB Stop bad advertising More daytime events/specials -- most Americans don&#039;t go out at night good employees Too many to waste time on as all are ignored Leave and don't come back A more festive atmosphere, like in San Felipe, Cabo, Puerta Villarta-music, dancing, open air businesses on the beach. Unfinished and abandoned projects should be dealt with, sidewalks made safer to walk on. Tourism encouragement Mexican businesses don&#039;t seem to understand that raising prices during a financial crisis doesn&#039;t attract new business, or even bring back old business. Increasing the volume of sales will help increase their revenue; the only way to increase sales Local business need to maintain a bilingual staff. Though customer service at certain establishments is difficult is the US, it is sometimes extremely frustrating to have things done. We have had a number of things made, for example, but after all is said and done, the item might be fine, but the process Keep up the good service as many are doing. I think their prices are equal to the US but you don&#039;t get the value for your dollars. Improve security, prevent extortion, minimize theft. First you have to get people to come here...again no money and the border problem.

safety issues like roads sidewalks and when entering and leaving the business I my self have tripped and fell on many occasions, people like to feel comfortable in their safety signs and a campaign to let people know to shop locally -to save your friends job get rid of parking meter idea. Maybe weekend sales at some of the shops. Maybe advertise in some US newspapers More tourists Don't raise prices when business is slow. Just ask I will tell, to many to list here None-the economy is just as bad in the U.S. Assistance for the Small Business Owners first get people here

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Respondents were also asked: What other thoughts or suggestions do you have for those who are trying to change Baja's image or promote Baja? Make sure the people who comes down are not experiencing police harassment Keep working at it. Drug cartels have ruined several countries in South American and they can do the same to Mexico as well. Complete or tear down building projects. Do not raise prices during shortfall, instead get prices in range of retirees that need to live on social security have a more open summit than the one that is being held the first of June. maybe divide the area into regions to address more specific concerns Forget the dollar beer and dirty motorcycle racing, having circuses with half-starved caged animals, and go for the wine and art. Also, try to keep the dust down in the cities by cleaning the streets and keeping them free of major potholes. TAKE CARE OF I believe the travel clubs should be notified that its ok down here now. I guess they have some kind of alert status and its really high now for Mexico. Maybe Baja should not be part of that. go back a few years (like 25) in image Baja is not part of mainland Mexico. It is not part of the State Departments "stay away from Mexico" policy. Make crime free areas. Perhaps you cant stop it everywhere, but make certain areas safe as possible, with no crime. Compensate those who have been ripped off by taking the assets of the developers and finishing what they started. That will spread faster than years of hard work trying to change the image. I would love to help do it. I've always loved Mexico and it Baja's two biggest assets are its people and the natural beauty. Support those values above everything else. Don't try to change Baja into southern California - that's not what tourists want. Create something original, beautiful an Better roads, more English speaking peace officers. More word of mouth from those who live here. Don't give up. Work with airlines to create packages. This makes it easier especially for first-timers. Continue to push for cleanliness ( eliminate the litter) and the educate the kids about graffiti. Look to your roads- sooo many potholes, although muchly improved over the last 5 years. Perhaps try a better grade of asphalt - it may be more expensive Here in USA we constantly here about people being kidnapped or beheaded. I have been going to Baja for 40 years but now I am afraid to go. invest in world wide promotion and kill cartels Be honest, acknowledge problems but don't exaggerate them. Note the number of Americans, Canadians and others living here in safety, peace and (sometimes) harmony. Cheap gasoline, slower more family oriented culture, our wonderful beaches. Lets try harder to get the word up north. Maybe some articles from some of the Mexican officials and from folks who live here. Ad campaigns. Maybe work with the travel industry in the US. Offer some inclusive deals in all areas of vacationing here. make Baja safe, and advertise as so Again, more ad campaigns about safety here. Do you remember in the 90s the Border waits were just horrible. We didn't have Internet then, but the word got out in Rosarito and Tijuana to "NOT SHOP IN SAN DIEGO FOR 10 DAYS".... OMG....The San Diego, San Ysidro and Chula Vista Chambers of Must combat the negative US press sponsored by the US tourism industry Get US media involved is showing the "real" Mexico. contact newspapers etc in the US and write articles from our view as residents here!! Its certainly worth a try. A huge recycling effort should be in the works, plastic and glass, to help the poor people make some money and to clean up all the garbage. support local investments Keep it simple, go with what is working for others... talk to business that do promotions already in the states. We have been doing this for 14 years and never get assistance. Be the change you want to see. We really need to protect the natural beauty of Baja, and focus on renewable energy and water conservation; otherwise, all is lost. Wish I did.

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

cleaning campaigns, change the image of the border and Avenida Internacional, get rid of the graffiti starting a campaign in schools, promote-promote and promote the beauties of Baja people don't know about social media, networking, work on changing the press, why change anything else.. none more golf packages with lodging emphasize the positive and get more exposure by huge discounts or free visits. A positive experience will bring people back to the same place. Less talk and complaint and more positive team work toward the benefit of Baja California and it;s people and visitors Obviously the world is in the little box on your desk -- the INTERNET is our future Baja needs to have an image where safety is the primary goal. clean up the natural resources and have official oversight that response to the tourist. we have all experienced the anti tourist attitudes from government officials The people that come to Cabo come year after year. Rarely do I talk to first timers... Therefore I suggest that we should reach out to promote specials for first time travelers Communicate that Baja people is that who lives and loves Baja don't t change it too much, many of us moved here for quiet and solitude and do not want this to become another S California We need to change one mind at a time. Lets start working in the first person possible, then move to the next. Hire a representative from the United States who frequently spends time in Baja and has strong connections with the people and businesses of Baja California. For example, I married into a large Baja California family from Ejido Ruben Jaramillo events celebrating freedom Come and see for yourself. You will fall in love! Write articles and stories for local and national publications highlighting the GOOD things happening in Baja and Mexico. you are really helping Costa Rica Environmentally-friendly development (wind, solar, no runoff, etc.) Better press. Stories about victories by law enforcement over cartels would help. POUR GASOLINE ON IT AND BURN IT UP. THEN STRART ALL OVER. IT APPEARS HOPELESS Cooperative advertising. none at this time Counter sensationalism with facts. get rid of street harassers, be vigilant about it. Go after officials and officers that are on the take as strongly as the federal government is going after the Narcos, and you will arrive at your objective much quicker. I love Baja and the people. As the economy in the USA improves, and if they improve border traffic and drug violence, Americans will come back. Baja residents are in love with this place, take advantage of the great community, and lets work together, remember the human SOS, we want Baja to be at is best!! bombard the US press with good news Really spend a lot of money on American style video commercials, shows etc.. provide a 25$ credit on airfares, give away a tourist kit at Pemex stations, use bajaYes.com web portal to promote Baja businesses Lets work together as a team and not as an individual work together... i like that spirit !!! Make it easier to travel into I support steps that are being implemented now. take down the ripped up bill boards-they are an eyesore. STOP the begging on the streets and the sale of puppies and other live animals I think some good videos on YouTube showing the attractions of Baja - and interviews with expats and visitors on safety. There are some already, but more would help. Getting positive stories in the US mainstream media would be good. Stop the construction of half finished projects that litter the landscape from Tijuana to Ensenada

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Too many for inclusion here. I LOVE THIS AREA ESPECIALLY THE AREA SOUTH OF ENCINATA AND NORTH OF CABO A PLAN TO PRESERVE AREAS AROUND IT WOULD BE GOOD. WATCH OVER YOUR RESOURSES IE. THE SEA OR CORTEZ THE JAPANESE FISHING BOATS RAPED THIS AREA YEARS AGO AND IT HAS LOST A GREAT DEAL There's some good work by Baja officials, but until Mexico can fix their judicial system, they can continue to catch many criminals and not be able to prosecute them. You can catch all the wild horses you want, but if you dont have a corral to publish facts about crime and facts about how good the police is now. Talk about the improvements that have taken place. fix problems with failed real estate developments I know this sounds silly but a lot of people have said Rosarito is ugly because it doesnt have trees. improve border crossing times Once again, get the word to the American press that the "scary" things that happen are isolated in certain areas and not all through Baja. See above. Same as above. Keep repeating it till people are convinced. Just keep up the good work. Promote, Promote, Promote i understand the L.A times has to report the news. but i feel they felt short of the truth most of the time.. people get shot and kidnapped every where in the world.. but does that stop you from going outside your neighborhood... Positive meetings, write-ups with local real estate people and local government agencies More positive publicity Positive news-articles in Us and Canadian Newspapers and invite both TV and print travel writers to experience Baja, by providing free or reduce accommodations, tours and workshops, including the art, food , outdoor resources, for individuals and families We all tell everyone we know, what we feel so I just don&#039;t know what else can be done to STOP the newspapers and Television shows. Show ads with Americans in their Baja homes saying: Mi Casa es en Baja -- You can Live the Good Life in Baja, too. Come see our Paradise! just be positive with all your friends ACT !! Good luck! The TV stations (especially San Diego) could air stories on cultural events, recreational competitions and destination activities. Not just general "fluff" pieces, but actual coverage of the reality of life here. Positive communications which you are quite obviously attempting to do,. Battling the US press is a huge, expensive task; but it is a fight that must be fought to have any hope of bringing tourism back to life in Mexico. You need a volunteer committee made up of a cross cut of all residents and business owners to discuss the needs of all. And most importantly to act on their suggestions. I would try to get more visibility and coverage in travel magazines, travel web sites, newspapers in other than the big cities, etc. And, I would continue to work with those in California to promote tourism on both sides of the border because it is my b The Town Crier is doing a magnificent job of posting events and advertising the local business. If you could expand your readership to other parts of the US, Canada and even Western Europe, this might increase tourism tremendously. I don't have any. You need to work on the substance and the image will take care of itself. Fix the roads and the border problem Start a campaign that is interactive with the public to Clean Up Baja! attend every sister-city function, tourist/convention meetings contact every tour bus company within an 8 hour drive of Rosarito. check out other cities like palm springs etc to see what special groups meet there every year. advertise in the gay market "Advertise more such as Spas. here," Try it once you'll never go back" Advertise more and show the positives of life here I would love to join the team and share my ideas Keep on trucking

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com

Speak about Daily activities, not so much Tourist event only. get an amusement park we have enough land and that would open up jobs for the residents here, at least it would help the economy Have a 'walk across the border' bus that picks up in downtown Tijuana at shopping centers/hotels or popular restaurants where tourists get taken fast- directly to the walk across line- Partner with parking lots on the US side for subsidized parking coupons so border crossing challenges are really minimized - link with rosarito/ensenada buses so people can walk across the border and actually get to Rosarito or Ensenada- leaving their car on the US side. Get banks to cooperate closer on both sides of the border- encouraging expats to come down, have a place in Baja and set themselves up easily here without so much red tape-- they will bring their money. Get the Rolling Stones to play a giant concert on the beach in Ensenada. They did this in Rio and had several million people- the biggest and most profitable event Rio has ever had.. What better place than Baja? Get the Fast Ferry idea from San Diego going- it would be great to come down by water Sponsor some free bus rides to TJ/Rosarito/Ensenada/San Felipe- tourists only

Summary and Recommendations Many of Baja's image problems, identified here seem tough, but not all are insurmountable. It will take a long term and consistent effort however. The image changing effort should be initiated with vigor, with funding support, and as soon as possible to stimulate tourism in the next quarter. All agencies, departments and volunteer groups need to coordinate and focus their efforts for the effect needed. As Mexico fights to take back it's security and it's reputation, Baja seems like easy ground to recover, with a comparatively safe and more geographically isolated map than the rest of the country. In addition, Baja already enjoys good access to potential tourism revenues from it's neighbors in Southern California and Arizona. Baja's natural beauty, tranquil and affordable lifestyle are all positives that can be highlighted as benefits recognized by all. Close coordination with each Baja City, coordination with American interest groups, coordination with Baja's businesses, and an integrated online and broadcast media campaign can succeed in helping produce more activity. These efforts will have a more powerful effect, however if these can be combined with real incentives on attractions, hotels, restaurants and events that will actually bring tourists here to have an actual experience where they can remember, once again how fun, beautiful and safe Baja really is. There is no question that the image problem is having a serious impact on Baja's economy. Many hope that a stronger effort than ever before is initiated to counter these serious conditions. Everyone wants to see Baja restored to economic health and to strengthen it's reputation as the incredible and wondrous destination that it really is. - Bart Allen Berry, Publisher BajaYes.com

Visit BajaYes.com to read the monthly online magazine all about the best of Baja

Baja Image Survey June 2011 Administered by BajaYes.com