as officials recently reported a record-high expenditure by visitors to the country in the past year. According to Mexico News Daily, Federal Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco disclosed that the total spending by travelers entering Mexico reached an impressive $30.8 billion in 2023, marking a notable 10 percent surge from the previous year and a substantial 25.4 percent increase from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
SECTUR, the Mexican tourism agency, further revealed that a total of 75.02 million international visitors graced the nation in the past year, reflecting a significant 13.7 percent rise from 2022. However, despite this remarkable growth, the overall number of incoming travelers still fell short by 23 percent compared to the 2019 total.
The preferred mode of arrival for the majority of visitors was by air, with 22.83 million individuals flying to Mexico. Data indicates that those arriving by plane contributed substantially to the record-high spending, reaching $25.7 billion in 2023—an impressive nine percent increase compared to the previous year.
On average, international tourists spent approximately $680 during their stay in Mexico, providing a robust economic boost to various sectors. Minister Torruco emphasized the success of the tourism policy implemented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, attributing the historic foreign exchange earnings to the effectiveness of the current approach.
Looking ahead to 2024, Torruco shared optimistic projections, anticipating a total of 42.46 million international tourists to visit the country. Those arriving via commercial airlines are expected to contribute significantly, with an average expenditure of $1,155. The overall spending by all international visitors is projected to reach an impressive $31.14 billion, indicating a positive trajectory for Mexico’s tourism industry in the coming year.
source: travelpulse.com