During the first half of this year, the arrival of Colombian tourists has decreased dramatically due to the uncertainty of being denied entry or mistreated at the Cancún airport and other airport terminals, stated Fernando García Manosalva, Colombian ambassador to Mexico.
The ambassador noted that in past years, Colombia was one of the main source markets for tourists to Mexico, ranking second; however, it currently ranks fourth, behind Canada, the United States, and Argentina.
“Colombians have generally ranked second in visitors to Mexico at times, but this has decreased, particularly in the last half of the year, due to the mishaps suffered by some Colombians who have been denied entry, and others who believe they have been mistreated,” he stated.
He considered that reversing this situation requires joint work with Mexican immigration authorities to provide greater certainty to Colombian tourists regarding their entry into the country.
“We have been in talks with immigration authorities at the national and local levels. We have reached agreements so that immigration control continues to be exercised as part of Mexican sovereignty, but so that Colombians can come with greater certainty that they will be admitted,” he stated.
In this regard, he reported that this week he held a meeting with immigration authorities from Quintana Roo and the Cancún airport, where they agreed on seven points, including a clear list of requirements for Colombians arriving in Cancún and the rest of the country.
Another agreement was the activation of a questionnaire, previously called pre-registration, so that Mexican authorities have information on people about to enter the country. “These two agreements are key to streamlining the entry process for Colombians and reducing the number of rejected visitors,” the ambassador stated.
He commented that these measures could be implemented within two months at the latest, with the hope that they will expedite the entry process for Colombians and reduce the number of denials of entry.
Starting August 9, Mexico will implement a new electronic visa system for foreigners wishing to enter the country without performing paid work. This measure, promoted by the federal government, seeks to streamline immigration procedures, digitize processes, and facilitate legal access to the country.
Source: reportur
