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Summary Hundreds gather at World Wonder Chichen Itza on the day of its famed ancient autumn equinox.
As streams of international visitors amassed on Mexicos legendary Chichen Itza pyramid for its famed autumn equinox, tourist officials in the country are banking on a travel boom as the countdown to the Mayan end of the world gains pace.According to ancient Mayan culture, the equinox marked the symbolic start of the annual harvest and provided a measuring point for their iconic circular calendar. It is the exact time and day when the suns sends its beams through the two windows of the Temple of the Seven Dolls and produces an illusion of a serpent descending down the main pyramid.This year the ancient celebration is more notable because the ancient Mayan calendar predicted the world would end on December 21, 2011.Mexicos government has been busy talking up the widely-held Mayan belief in their latest drive to boost the countrys travel sector ahead of its end.I dont know if its a myth to attract tourists, it certainly seems interesting that the Mayan calendar is circular so it seems like the world cant end, it has to start all over again, said a skeptical tourist.The Mexican government is investing millions promoting its ancient heritage to the world and boosting infrastructure to isolated archaeological zones to attract record numbers of tourists.Travel agents are already organising special Mayan tours of the country and 2012 internet forums are rife with discussions of pilgrimages for the occasion. Mexican officials estimate that more than 50 million tourists will visit Mexicos southeastern Mayan states through to the year end and spend over $20 million.However, unmoved Mexican locals of Mayan heritage are unswayed by the apocalyptic prophecies.I think its an idea for people to enjoy 2012. The end of the world was first announced in 2000 and then it was 2006 and now in 2012. In reality, no the world will not end, said local artisan Reyes May.With the countrys travel industry propping up 9 percent of its gross domestic product, Mexicos Mayan doomsday campaign is the latest push by officials in the drug-ravaged country to sure up its crucial tourist sector and draw attention away from popular fears of bloody cartel violence making the country a dangerous holiday destination.
