ABC-7 special report from Chihuahua, Mexico on how tourism is picking up.

Despite the violence constantly making headlines across the border, what’s often overlooked in the news is the positive in Mexico. ABC-7’s Paul Cicala begins a 6-part series focusing on our border state of Chihuahua, and the government’s efforts to promote an area where tourism is picking up once again: the Sierra Tarahumara.

Slowly, but surely, violence is dropping south of the border, -especially when you get away from the volatile region of Ciudad Juarez. Meanwhile, tourism in Mexico is back on the rise. El Paso is just a three hour bus ride from Chihuahua City, the launching off point for the historic train called CHEPE.

With camera in hand, Cicala traveled from the capital of the state of Chihuahua to Sinaloa, on Mexico’s west coast, and back again. The Barranca de Cobre is four times the size of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, and home to one of the biggest indigenous groups in Latin America : the Tarahumaras.

So, we at KVIA ABC-7 did just that (as have scores of other travelers). Penny Newton, who’s visiting from Europe, says “I feel very safe.”

Over the next five days, we’ll take you through train stops such as the historic, colonial town of El Fuerte, Sinaloa, and introduce to travellers like the Hollman family of 11 from San Diego, California.

We’ll show you stunning views from the canyons near Urique and Cerocaui, and introduce you to the risk, reward and rush of the longest zip line system in Latin America. Also, we’ll include footage of the third longest aerial tramway ride in the world.

We also got the opportunity to stay in an Indian village in a cabin without electricity, spending a night, -just like the Tarahumaras. And, KVIA ends this journey in Chihuahua City, the old stomping grounds of revolutionary leader Pancho Villa. It’s also the place where Mexican Independence hero, Father Miguel Hidalgo, was executed by a firing squad.

Local guide, Pedro Palma says, “We invite eveyrone your area of El Paso, Las Cruces, Ciudad Juarez (and beyond) to come and visit this beautiful area: And, we at KVIA invite -you- to enuoy the trek through our neighboring state of Chihuahua. We’ll have a different story from Mexico, and the Sierra Tarahumara every night this week starting Monday at 10 p.m. on ABC-7. It all begins at a stop on the western end of the train route: El Fuerte, Sinaloa. We’ll also have more on the security and how safe it is along the train route.