Survivalists have come crashing into the public spotlight within the past several years. The idea of survivalism as a sport is just beginning to take hold in the public consciousness, but Britain and the USA have a growing number of increasingly popular shows based on the concept of survivalist hosts pitting themselves against challenges of endurance and environmental savvy. Shows like Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild and Les Stroud's Survivorman are but a few of the widely-watched series based on this theme; these days, one would be hard-pressed to find a television viewer who wasn't familiar with at least one survivalist adventure program.
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.
Those against the series tend to espouse the viewpoint that, far from being a tourism-booster, the series is nothing more than an elaborate stunt, and one aimed at boosting the President's own level of recognition and international prestige. They say that while the series will do little to help Mexico's flagging tourist industry, the starring role Mr. Calderon will take in the program shows its true purpose, and that using Mexico's tax money to fund his own private designs on TV stardom are inappropriate at best.
The Democratic Revolution Party, for one, is completely opposed to the series being taken any further. The Labor Party has also come out against the idea, and has demanded that expense reports surrounding the show's production be made public. Many on Mexico's political left see the project as a sure flop and a waste of valuable revenue, accomplishing nothing besides letting the President jet-set to all of Mexico's finest getaways and beautiful vacation spots.
While President Calderon's supporters say that half-hour show will be paid for almost in full by the U.S. government, who is partnering with Mexico to produce the series, many remain skeptical that the U.S.A., already reeling from a series of shocking financial crises, will be willing to pick up the tab for Mexico's tourist industry. Some sharp observers have noted that when the President and his co-host hop from isolated jungle location to location, they fly with the help of the Mexican government, whose clearly marked helicopters allow them to make the trip!
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.
Those against the series tend to espouse the viewpoint that, far from being a tourism-booster, the series is nothing more than an elaborate stunt, and one aimed at boosting the President's own level of recognition and international prestige. They say that while the series will do little to help Mexico's flagging tourist industry, the starring role Mr. Calderon will take in the program shows its true purpose, and that using Mexico's tax money to fund his own private designs on TV stardom are inappropriate at best.
The Democratic Revolution Party, for one, is completely opposed to the series being taken any further. The Labor Party has also come out against the idea, and has demanded that expense reports surrounding the show's production be made public. Many on Mexico's political left see the project as a sure flop and a waste of valuable revenue, accomplishing nothing besides letting the President jet-set to all of Mexico's finest getaways and beautiful vacation spots.
While President Calderon's supporters say that half-hour show will be paid for almost in full by the U.S. government, who is partnering with Mexico to produce the series, many remain skeptical that the U.S.A., already reeling from a series of shocking financial crises, will be willing to pick up the tab for Mexico's tourist industry. Some sharp observers have noted that when the President and his co-host hop from isolated jungle location to location, they fly with the help of the Mexican government, whose clearly marked helicopters allow them to make the trip!
About the Author:
The Onejungle Travel Community is a place where travel stories and adventure blogs are shared. For more information on the travel to the Mayans in Tikal see Guatemalan Travel: Tikal National Park.
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