CNN 2011-03-31（在线收听）

It is spring break and in any normal year, the beaches of Acapulco, Mexico will be crowded with American tourists, American college students. But not this year. The fear of drug violence in Acapulco is keeping tourists away. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

After a series of gruesome murders last year, American and British authorities issued warnings to travelers about Acapulco. 18 bodies were found near Acapulco last November in a shallow grave and what appears to be a massacre by a drug cartel.

Everywhere you go in Aculpulco, especially in tourist areas, you see signs like this one that says "Habla de Aca," Speak well of Aca, short for Acapulco. It is a new campaign spearheaded by the Tourism industry. But it is hard to do that when the violence is speaking so loudly. 15 headless bodies were found outside a mall in January. There were more than 1,000 violent deaths in Acapulco in 2010. Marking a steady increase over the last three years. With more than 300 deaths so far this year, Acapulco is on pace to break last year's record.

This is not a violence against tourism. Any tourist who come here, they'll never see violence. Any person who come in, they will never see any problem against an attack, against anybody personally.

Brian Rullan owns Paladium, one of the hottest nightclubs in town. He used to see hundreds of spring breakers every night in previous years. Now it is only a handful.

Yes, it's totally safe.

But these four young Americans from the midwest say people are missing out.

My mom actually came to Mexico a couple of weeks ago. As they were rewarded, everyone kept telling us how safe it was. So it was no problem coming here. Once we got here, everyone felt so safe.

Acapulco officials say last year they still received about nine million tourists. A number they expect will increase by 300,000 in 2011.

Acapulco is standing on its feet. And Acapulco is greater than its problems.

Mayor Anorve points to the fact that world-class events like the international diving championship and the Guiness record-breaking event were still held here this year. Rafael Romo, CNN, Acapulco, Mexico.