Perception of insecurity in the tourist image of Acapulco, México

Violence and insecurity in Acapulco, Mexico have perpetrated a devastating and terrifying image on tourist flows. The panorama of organized crime has not only affected the region's dynamic economy and competitiveness, but also deteriorated the perception of tourists. The objective of the research is to identify the reactionary measures taken by issuing destinations, and how they have contributed in generating the perception of insecurity. The methodology applied for this report is documentary exploratory through a series of stages in obtaining accurate data on the research topic, such as a variety of secondary sources from relevant institutions and nongovernmental organizations. The issue of insecurity – whether perceived or real not only affects tourism, but also the economic and social development of a city since its main source of income comes from the issuing destinations that arbitrarily establish travel warnings. Therefore, the paper also explores how the domestic government should respond to external perceptions, such as developing effective public safety strategies to restore the confidence of international visitors.