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In Mexico, violent protests over missing students scare off tourists

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Masked teachers detain a police officer during clashes in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state, Mexico, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. Supporters of 43 missing college rural students, refusing to believe they are dead, have kept up the protests that have blocked major highways and set government buildings ablaze in recent weeks. The students disappeared at the hands of a city police force on Sept. 26 in the town of Iguala. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez) (The Associated Press)

Teachers march around a vehicle they flipped during clashes with riot police in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state, Mexico, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. Supporters of 43 missing college rural students, refusing to believe they are dead, have kept up the protests that have blocked major highways and set government buildings ablaze in recent weeks. The students disappeared at the hands of a city police force on Sept. 26 in the town of Iguala in Guerrero state. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez) (The Associated Press)

Teachers flip a vehicle during a clash with riot police in Chilpancingo, Mexico, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. Supporters of the missing 43 college rural students, refusing to believe they are dead, have kept up the protests that have blocked major highways and set government buildings ablaze in recent weeks. The students disappeared at the hands of a city police force on Sept. 26 in the town of Iguala. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez) (The Associated Press)

Violent protests over the disappearance of 43 college students are putting a damper on tourism in Mexico's Pacific resort city of Acapulco.

Joaquin Badillo is head of a business association in the southern state of Guerrero, where Acapulco is located.

He says the city's hotels have seen massive cancellations ahead of this weekend, which coincides with Monday's national holiday commemorating the 1910 Mexican Revolution.

More cancellations have been registered for Christmas week, the busiest time of the year for Acapulco tourism.

Badillo says hotel occupancy is currently at 20 percent, well short of the 85 percent expected for this time of year.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has tried to keep the violence issue in his country separate from his focus on the economy.