Mexico’s tourism sector saw a significant resurgence in 2024, welcoming 86.41 million international visitors, a 15.5% jump from 2023’s 74.81 million. This marks the strongest growth in five years. However, despite this impressive rebound, visitor numbers remain 11.29% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels, according to Banco Base.
Travel Methods and December Surge
Automobiles remained the most popular mode of transport for international visitors (44.65%), followed by air travel (26.81%), pedestrian crossings (12.29%), cruise ships (11.75%), and land transportation (4.51%).
December 2024 proved particularly strong, with 9.02 million international arrivals, a 14.67% increase year-over-year. International tourists numbered 4.79 million (up 4.3%), while excursionists reached 4.23 million (up 29.2%). Even with this surge, December’s total visitor flow was still 3.16% lower than in 2019.
Spending and Economic Impact
Increased visitation translated to higher tourism expenditure, reaching $3.70 billion in December 2024 (a 9.0% annual increase). International tourists accounted for 92.5% of spending, with excursionists contributing the remaining 7.54%. Interestingly, despite higher overall spending, the average expenditure per visitor decreased by 4.9% to $410.37.
The Road to Full Recovery
While the 2024 figures represent substantial progress, Mexico’s tourism industry has yet to fully recover from the pandemic. The ongoing gap compared to 2019 levels underscores the need for continued efforts to boost visitor numbers and spending. Mexico’s diverse attractions and renowned hospitality position it well for future growth, and stakeholders are expected to implement new strategies in 2025 to further revitalize the sector and ensure its continued economic contribution.
Written by Mexpat Realtors – March 2025
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