Bad week for Mexico tourism capped by mis-translations

It has been a b week for Mexican tourism promotion, and it got worse Friday when English langu version of country’s tourism website appeared with hilarious mis-translations.

Entire states like Hidalgo and Guerrero apparently got machine translated as “ble” and “Warrior.”

Worse for VisitMexico.com site, re was systematic and inexplicable re-invention of names of some fairly well-kwn tourist towns. Caribbean resort of Tulum somehow became “Jumpsuit.” nearby lagoon of Bacalar, on Caribbean coast, was switched to Gulf coast state of Tabasco.

snafu came one day after U.S. State Department cited high number of COVID-19 cases in Mexico for issuing a “do t travel” visory for country, its highest level of warning. Hours earlier, resort of Acapulco was forced to pull “anything goes” tourism s that showed people partying without masks and words “re are rules.”

But problems at VisitMexico.com drew howls of hilarity — and anger. Pacific coast resort of Puerto Escondido became “Hidden Port,” a literal translation, and rrn city of Torreon became “Turret,” which is kind of close.

Some name changes were just inexplicable and appeared to have as much to do with invention as simple translation. central Mexican town of Aculco somehow became “I Blame,” and rrn Gulf coast city of Ciud Mero became “Log.”

“Stop making Mexico look ridiculous!” former President Felipe Calderón wrote in his Twitter account.

Mexico’s Tourism Department issued a statement apologizing for apparently out-sourced errors, but n me it sound like something sinister h been involved.

“ Tourism Department expresses its most sincere apologies to public and users for effects that have occurred on website VisitMexico,” statement said. “Moreover, we make it kwn that se acts aim to dam im of website and department, and so refore a criminal complaint has been filed and appropriate legal actions will be taken against those responsible.”

department did t explain that claim, but local media reported dispute might involve a web services supplier angry about t being paid.

On Thursday, officials took down a pair of Acapulco video s touting fed resort’s reputation as a nightclubbing spot — despite fact nightclubs are currently closed to enforce social distancing. y said s weren’t appropriate during coronavirus pandemic.

“We have stopped being a postcard from past, today we have changed rules,” says a narration in one of videos. “In fact, re are rules,” says ar voice, as people can be seen eating bizarre meals and going out to night clubs. “Eat whatever you want, have fun day and night and into early morning hours ... find new friends and new loves.”