MEXICO CITY , Mexico ( CNN ) -- Mexico 's tourism director on Wednesday downplayed the risk of violence facing tourists , despite warnings for travelers to think twice about visiting the country . A cliff diver jumps from `` La Quebrada '' cliff in Acapulco , Mexico . The diving is a popular tourist attraction . `` In all parts of the world , you have to be careful with what you do , '' Oscar Fitch told CNN en Espanol . `` What I am saying is there are very safe zones and there are zones that are not safe . '' In recent days , the United States , Canada , France , Italy and Germany have issued alerts about travel to Mexico , where drug violence was blamed for more than 5,400 killings last year . The warnings appear to have had little effect , according to Mauricio Baranda , Mexico country manager at Carlson Wagonlit Travel . `` For our part , we have detected no significant drop because of that type of situation , '' he said . `` Much more significant is the reduction [ in travel to Mexico ] because of the financial crisis . '' In an unusual move , the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last month targeting spring break travelers , for whom Mexico is a popular destination . `` The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern , '' the alert said . `` Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008 . Additionally , this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008 . '' Watch as troops roll into Juarez and officials say it 's working » . Some students appeared to be paying attention . `` I think that , if there is a big problem in Mexico , they [ students ] should go somewhere else , because you never know what is going to happen , '' said Nereida Solis , a student . `` I think it would be a good idea to consider security things , '' added Karen Velasquez , another student . But student Aaron Cutler was more fatalistic . `` That 's life , '' he said . `` There is violence in Israel , there is violence in India . I do n't know much about the situation and how it has turned out . I ca n't comment much , but if people want to go , people are going to go . '' Mexican authorities said the country remains a preferred destination for U.S. vacationers , but acknowledged that the warnings may lead some of the 18 million who typically visit their neighbor south of the border to find another place to go this year .
United States , Canada , France , others have issued warnings about travel to Mexico . Mexican tourism director says visitors should n't worry , just be alert . US : ` ` There are very safe zones and there are places that are not safe '' Travel company says economy , not free of crime , is hurting most .