Mexico City lures tourists

Mexico City is looking forward to 2.4 million visitors this summer, according to Alejandro Rojas, head of the city tourist office. Rojas, who hopes to become mayor in 2012, noted that the capital has 50,000 hotels rooms, 2,000 restaurants, 240 nightclubs and discos, 145 churches (not counting smaller chapels and shrines), 140 museums, 75 shopping centers, 33 zoos and 31 parks, which should be enough to keep any visitor busy.

Early figures show that tourism in the capital has grown between seven and eight percent this year and is a major source of employment. The Mexico City receives more foreign travelers than any other such facility in the country. Airport traffic is up 45.7 percent, according to official figures. Many passengers, however, simply arrive to make connections. Of those who stay, most are in town on business.

By Jimm Budd