Saturday, October 12, 2024

Tourism revenue in Mexico in 2023 worth record US $30.8B

International visitors spent a record high of US $30.8 billion in Mexico in 2023, federal Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco reported Monday.

The figure represents a 10% increase compared to 2022 and a 25.4% spike compared to 2019, a year now considered a benchmark because it was the final year of the pre-COVID era.

Tourism revenue is up more than 25% since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Carlos Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)

“The historic result in foreign exchange earnings from international visitors confirms that the tourism policy implemented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is the right one,” Torruco said in a statement.

Data published by the Tourism Ministry (Sectur) showed that 75.02 million international visitors came to Mexico last year, a 13.7% increase compared to 2022, but 23% short of the 2019 total.

The term “international visitors” refers to international tourists — foreigners who stay in Mexico for at least one night — as well as cruise ship passenger on shore excursions and day-trippers who enter the country via the borders with the United States, Guatemala and Belize.

International tourists the biggest spenders, numbers up by 10%

Data derived from the International Travelers Surveys conducted by national statistics agency INEGI showed that 42.15 million international tourists spent $28.68 billion in Mexico — a figure equivalent to 93% of the $30.8 billion outlay of all international visitors.

The total number of international tourists rose by 10% compared to 2022 while their collective expenditure increased 8.9%. Tourist numbers were 6.4% below 2019 levels, but their total outlay was 28.3% higher.

Each international tourist spent an average of $680 in Mexico, while the figure for all international visitors was significantly lower at $411.

Aeroméxico plane on the tarmac
Around 50% of all international tourists in Mexico arrived via air in 2023. (Unsplash)

Just over half of all international tourists in 2023 — 22.83 million — flew into Mexico. Air arrivals were up 7% compared to 2022 and increased 16.3% compared to 2019.

The United States reinstated Mexico’s Category 1 aviation safety rating in September more than two years after it was downgraded to Category 2.

International tourists who arrived by air collectively spent $25.7 billion while in the country, a 9% increase compared to 2022 and a 30.7% jump compared to 2019. On average, those tourists spent $1,126 dollar each while in the country, a 1.8% increase compared to 2022.

The tourism outlook for 2024    

Torruco said that Sectur is forecasting that 42.46 million international tourists will come to Mexico this year, a figure that would exceed last year’s mark by 0.7%. Those who arrive by air are expected to spend an average of $1,155 each, which would be a 2.6% increase compared to 2023.

Total spending of all international visitors is forecast to reach $31.14 billion, which would be a 1.1% annual increase.

Torruco said that 9.33 million cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Mexico this year, which would be a 2.7% increase compared to last year.

Mexico has already welcomed the world’s largest cruise ship this year, with the Icon of the Seas making a stop in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, earlier this month.

Mexico News Daily 

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