Increase in the Number of Tourists Visiting Mexico

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported an increase in the number of tourists visiting Mexico.

According to the latest data available up to July, there was a rise in the number of tourists visiting Mexico.

According to INEGI, there was a 7.7% increase in the arrival of international tourists, totaling 3,966,328, maintaining the same growth rate as the first half of the year.

The increase in the number of tourists visiting Mexico reflects positively on the sector, but the same cannot be said for income.

In this regard, Mexico received 2,648.3 million dollars in tourist revenue in July, representing a 1.1% annual decrease.

It’s worth noting that in the two preceding months, there were increases of 6.4% and 3%, respectively.

Some attribute this decline to factors such as a lack of promotion of Mexican destinations abroad, the appreciation of the Mexican peso against the US dollar, and accumulated inflation.

It may have more to do with the appreciation of the US dollar, as the number of visitors increased.

Other factors affecting income from the number of tourists visiting Mexico include the use of more budget-friendly services and plans.

Number of Tourists Visiting Mexico

When comparing with the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, it is concluded that “the total spending by visitors (in real pesos), between July 2019 and July 2023, has contracted by 12.76%.

In July 2023, the average spending per visitor stood at 412.77 dollars, marking a 9.31% annual decrease, but when compared to pre-pandemic levels, it records a growth of 56.76%.

When converting the average spending into pesos and adjusting for inflation observed between July 2019 and July 2023, the growth in average spending (in real pesos) was 70.01%.

According to INEGI, the decline in foreign exchange earnings was a result of a 4.4% decrease in the average spending of international tourists arriving in the country by air (representing 82% of total income), totaling 1,073.09 million dollars.

In July of the current year, the average spending per visitor was 412.77 dollars. Meanwhile, that of international tourists was 957.15 dollars, and for those entering by land, it was 378.82 dollars, as detailed by the institute.

Following the publication of the International Travelers Survey, the Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco, described it as “good news” on his Twitter account when announcing the total tourist spending for the year so far.

“The income from international visitors in January-July 2023 was 18,225.3 million dollars, which is 10.6% higher compared to 2022, also surpassing the visitor income recorded during the same period in 2019 (15,225.3 million dollars), with a 19.7% increase,” he mentioned.

Also read: Inflation in Mexico in August 2023: On the Decline.