Guanajuato Mayor slams cheap tourists

The mayor of Mexico’s quaint colonial city of Guanajuato has taken a drubbing after he criticized low-spending tourists, saying, “We want the type of visitor who spends more.”

Mayor Alejandro Navarro said this week that tourists from nearby Mexican cities often arrive in cheap bus tour packages, bringing their own food. He blamed them for creating trash and traffic problems.

Social media users quickly mocked Navarro, posting fake road signs reading “Welcome to Guanajuato, no food or beverage allowed.”

By Wednesday, Navarro was forced to post a taped apology on his Twitter account, saying, “Everyone is welcome … it is not my intention to offend anyone.”

The old colonial mining town is known for its narrow, twisting streets, imposing stone buildings and a yearly arts festival.