BOSTON, June 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CNN's report on Acapulco today is flawed, according to media travel expert Stephanie Abrams, host of nationally syndicated travel radio shows and JetSet411, a televised series archived at her award-winning website www.sAbrams.com. Abrams says CNN's reports are, "distorted, incorrect, deceptive and aimed at discouraging people from traveling to Acapulco! A scout could demonstrate that the story has more holes than Swiss cheese!"
Abrams describes CNN's reporter, "standing on a gorgeous stretch of Acapulco beach near empty chairs and closed umbrellas noting Acapulco's lack of tourists. The video shows a closed beachfront bar with stools stacked upside-down." Abrams explains that the beach is empty because the video was shot at about 7:00 AM, long before the bar would open and early for tourists who would be having breakfast or sleeping after an evening of dancing and entertainment. "If you want to show an empty beach in a fun-lovers' destination, that would be the time to do it!" Abrams explains.
How does Abrams know the video was shot before the day's activities on the beach began? She replies, "Look at the umbrellas' shadows. If you know how to read a sun dial, you'll know this was filmed about 7:00AM. To create the impression that Acapulco is empty, take your photos early!"
Today's CNN report on Acapulco "continues to position the recent drug-bust event as if it happened in the middle of the tourist zone in a Texas-style shootout. Acapulco is huge and wraps around Acapulco Bay, rising up into the mountains surrounding it on all sides. The tourist zone in Acapulco is nowhere near the residential mountainous area where this neighborhood incident occurred. It's unconscionable that CNN would give the impression that this raid on a hideout put visitors and residents in danger. Acapulco Tourism officials confirmed that no domestic or international tourists were involved or injured in these incidents," Abrams notes.
"When raids happen in NYC, Miami or Los Angeles, the incidents occur on specific streets in neighborhoods with no impact on the rest of that city. The same is true for Acapulco but the coverage makes it sound like the city is under siege which is completely ridiculous!" Abrams explains. "The footage of a Mexican Army truck in transit is shown as an ominous fear-inflicting event. The impact of the edited piece creates fear of the destination that is not deserved," Abrams notes.
Abrams discusses Acapulco on Traveling Feet, June 13, 2009, 11am to 1pm ET time slot and on Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams, heard coast-to-coast in the 6pm to 9pm ET time slot. Both shows stream live at www.sAbrams.com, are iPod-able and archived at the site along with the Photo Gallery including photos of Acapulco.
"I feel safer in Acapulco than most places in the world. I'm already planning my next visit!" Abrams concludes.
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