Mexico Cashes in On Love of Adventure Tourism
More than just a skill, survivalism is evolving into a sport thanks to it's increased media profile during the last few years. A plethora of survivalist hosts, like Les Stroud of "Survivorman" and 'Man vs. Wild's Bear Grylls, take their proficiency at living off the land and ability to withstand enormous physical strain and put it to the test, on camera for the masses, and the consensus is: it's a hit. From gorgeous natural photography, to explanation of practical techniques for the DIY crowd, to squirming in your chair watching hosts eat grubs and worms to stay alive, there's an aspect of these shows that appeals to just about anyone who happens to click one on. You'd be hard-pressed to locate a regular TV viewer who couldn't name at least one of these exciting shows!
One can hardly then blame Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, who will be the host of a new PBS television series highlighting his country's unseen natural wonders, for wanting to ride on the adventure tourism wave. In each 30-minute episode, President Calderon, assisted by co-host Peter Greenberg, leads an in-depth tour of one of his country's hidden caves, murky depths, or unscaled heights, with the first episode depicting a thousand-foot descent into the Golondrinas cavern.
Mysterious Undersea Caves
On another episode of the series, the President and Mr. Greenburg trek to one of Mexico's most unusual and haunting natural formations, the Big Blue Hole. Located near a series of coral reefs on the Yucatan coastline, the Big Hole is a circular depression formed by the roof-collapse of ancient underwater caves, leaving a 400-foot deep, dark blue hole resting in plain visibility on the floor of the sparkling, otherwise shallow sea. Many of the program's advocates are pleased that the President of Mexico will be the one to present these amazing natural treasures to the world, serving an as example of the many ways in which Mexico's unique terrain and heritage can still amaze the world.
A Boost to the Flagging Tourism Industry
Supporters of President Calderon say that the new series will prove to be beneficial not only to Mexico's tourist industry, but also boost the Mexican citizenry's pride and sense of national worth. Of course, opponents of the President are readily on hand to dispute the plan's value, due to the troubles which Mexico's Department of Tourism has experienced luring travelers to the country's tropical shores. Many first-time travelers are reticent to make the journey to Mexico in light of headlines about widespread cartel violence, and convincing tourists to return for a second or third stay has become more of a problem in recent years. To offset this, the government has begun shelling out the advertising bucks to try and promote Mexico's many virtues as a tourist destination.
Many of the President's detractors view the series as a mere stunt, an expensive distraction that just happens to feature Mr. Calderon in a starring role. They argue that the idea of a TV series starring him seems to be more beneficial to the President's prestige than to Mexico's tourism industry, and some even allege that the production rises to the level of abuse of power.
Mexico's Democratic Revolution Party, for example, has denounced the series as futile and ill-conceived pet project that should be canceled. The Labor Party, echoing the sympathies of many on Mexico's left, demanded the release of financial data and expense reports related to the production of the show. The feeling that the show is essentially a waste or even misappropriation of funds is widely held among poll respondents, with many espousing the opinion that the President was simply using the show as a way to get a nice free vacation at the taxpayers' expense!
Supporters of the 30-minute series make the counterclaim that the lion's share of expenses have actually been paid for by the U.S., as it's federally-funded Public Television network acts as a partner in the venture. However, this claim is looked on with great skepticism by many in the Mexican political sphere, especially taking into account the massive bailouts and financial worries the U.S. government has had to contend with in recent times. They point out the obvious commitment of resources that the Mexican taxpayer has made the project, as is evidenced by helicopters owned and manned by the Mexican government delivering the President and his co-host to their destinations!
One can hardly then blame Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, who will be the host of a new PBS television series highlighting his country's unseen natural wonders, for wanting to ride on the adventure tourism wave. In each 30-minute episode, President Calderon, assisted by co-host Peter Greenberg, leads an in-depth tour of one of his country's hidden caves, murky depths, or unscaled heights, with the first episode depicting a thousand-foot descent into the Golondrinas cavern.
Mysterious Undersea Caves
On another episode of the series, the President and Mr. Greenburg trek to one of Mexico's most unusual and haunting natural formations, the Big Blue Hole. Located near a series of coral reefs on the Yucatan coastline, the Big Hole is a circular depression formed by the roof-collapse of ancient underwater caves, leaving a 400-foot deep, dark blue hole resting in plain visibility on the floor of the sparkling, otherwise shallow sea. Many of the program's advocates are pleased that the President of Mexico will be the one to present these amazing natural treasures to the world, serving an as example of the many ways in which Mexico's unique terrain and heritage can still amaze the world.
A Boost to the Flagging Tourism Industry
Supporters of President Calderon say that the new series will prove to be beneficial not only to Mexico's tourist industry, but also boost the Mexican citizenry's pride and sense of national worth. Of course, opponents of the President are readily on hand to dispute the plan's value, due to the troubles which Mexico's Department of Tourism has experienced luring travelers to the country's tropical shores. Many first-time travelers are reticent to make the journey to Mexico in light of headlines about widespread cartel violence, and convincing tourists to return for a second or third stay has become more of a problem in recent years. To offset this, the government has begun shelling out the advertising bucks to try and promote Mexico's many virtues as a tourist destination.
Many of the President's detractors view the series as a mere stunt, an expensive distraction that just happens to feature Mr. Calderon in a starring role. They argue that the idea of a TV series starring him seems to be more beneficial to the President's prestige than to Mexico's tourism industry, and some even allege that the production rises to the level of abuse of power.
Mexico's Democratic Revolution Party, for example, has denounced the series as futile and ill-conceived pet project that should be canceled. The Labor Party, echoing the sympathies of many on Mexico's left, demanded the release of financial data and expense reports related to the production of the show. The feeling that the show is essentially a waste or even misappropriation of funds is widely held among poll respondents, with many espousing the opinion that the President was simply using the show as a way to get a nice free vacation at the taxpayers' expense!
Supporters of the 30-minute series make the counterclaim that the lion's share of expenses have actually been paid for by the U.S., as it's federally-funded Public Television network acts as a partner in the venture. However, this claim is looked on with great skepticism by many in the Mexican political sphere, especially taking into account the massive bailouts and financial worries the U.S. government has had to contend with in recent times. They point out the obvious commitment of resources that the Mexican taxpayer has made the project, as is evidenced by helicopters owned and manned by the Mexican government delivering the President and his co-host to their destinations!
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