Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) has reported a 7.2% increase in international tourist arrivals by air during the first five months of 2023, reaching 9.56 million visitors.
This figure surpasses the arrivals recorded in 2022 and 2019, with a notable growth rate.
The majority of arrivals were from three countries: the United States, Canada, and Colombia, accounting for a combined total of 6.89 million tourists.
This reflects a 6.2% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and a significant 12.8% rise compared to January-May 2019.
While the number of U.S. tourists slightly declined by 1.6% compared to the previous year, there was a substantial 16.9% increase compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019.
Canadian arrivals via air witnessed a remarkable surge of 65.6%, reaching 1.31 million tourists, just 4.8% short of the 2019 figures.
Colombian tourists visiting Mexico during the January-May 2023 period also showed significant growth, with a 39.6% increase compared to 2019.
In addition to these top three countries, 2.2 million tourists from various nationalities visited Mexico, marking a 10.6% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
This accounted for a market share of 24% during this period.
Cancun, Mexico City International Airport (AICM), and Los Cabos emerged as the primary destinations, witnessing the highest number of international arrivals.
Together, these three locations welcomed 6.7 million tourists during the first five months of 2023, representing a 3.7% increase compared to 2019.
The positive growth in international tourism arrivals in Mexico highlights the country’s appeal as a preferred destination among travelers.
The increase in visitors from different countries contributes to the country’s tourism industry and boosts its economy, supporting jobs and businesses in the sector.