Teacher protests and blockades in Oaxaca scare off tourism

By Ismael García

Two weeks before the Guelaguetza festival, tourism service providers have a bleak outlook because of the blockades and protests of the Section 22 of the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE).

"There are no tourists, they are afraid of coming to Oaxaca. They threatened to burn our vehicles if we did not keep them," said the manager of three trams that take tourists around Oaxaca city.

A month and a half after the beginning of the protest camps and roadblocks, the National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry (Canirac) reported losses for 800,000 pesos a day (US$43,500), which means a total of 38 million pesos (US$2.06 million) if considered since May 15, when the dissident teachers started protesting.

Also 10 restaurants have closed, some permanently and others temporarily.

The Association of Hotels and Motels of Oaxaca said that 32% of the bookings for the celebrations of La Guelaguetza (from July 25 to August 1) had been canceled.

This mean total losses for the local tourism industry amount to 150 million pesos (US$8.15 million).