Tourism in Mexico is a vital engine of its economy, sustained by a rich cultural, historical, and natural diversity. From its impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites to its renowned cuisine and the growing medical tourism industry, Mexico offers a unique experience for both domestic and international visitors.
This article covers various aspects of tourism in Mexico, from the decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the projections of growth and recovery in the near future.
Tourism Facts
1. Mexico is the 6th country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
2. Mexico has 32 destinations declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
3. Mexico has more than 45,000 archaeological sites. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
4. 3,000 years of history preserve the memory of 65 ethnic groups. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
5. Mexican cuisine is one of the 3 cuisines in the world declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
6. Mexico is home to 10% of the world’s species diversity. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
7. Mexico has more than 176 protected natural areas. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
8. It has the 2nd largest coral reef in the world. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
9. Mexico hosts the 2nd most important international book fair in the world, the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
Mexican Cities that Attract the Most Tourists
10. 48.8% of foreign tourists enter Mexico through Cancun International Airport. (EL ECONOMISTA)
11. 19.5% of foreign tourists enter Mexico through Mexico City International Airport. (EL ECONOMISTA)
12. The 3rd airport that receives the most foreign tourists is Los Cabos. (EL ECONOMISTA)
The Impact of Tourism on the Economy
13. In 2022, the tourism GDP reported an amount of 2,372,556 million pesos. (INEGI)
14. 8.5% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from tourism, highlighting its significant contribution to the economy. (INEGI)
15. Mexico’s tourism GDP is composed of several sectors, with passenger transportation being the most important, accounting for 19.0%. (INEGI)
16. Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs represent 14.9% of the tourism GDP, highlighting their importance in the country’s economy. (INEGI)
17. The accommodation sector contributes 20.6% to the tourism GDP, being one of the pillars of the industry. (INEGI)
18. Travel agencies and other reservation services have a smaller share in the tourism GDP, with 0.8%. (INEGI)
19. Goods and crafts also play an important role in Mexico’s tourism economy, contributing 15.8% to the GDP. (INEGI)
20. Trade, cultural services, and sports and recreational services represent 9.8%, 1.6%, and 1.5% respectively, of the tourism GDP. (INEGI)
21. Other sectors also contribute to Mexico’s tourism GDP, totaling 16.0%. (INEGI)
22. It is estimated that over the next 10 years, tourism will register an average annual growth rate of 3.2%, above the 2% projected for the economy. (EL ECONOMISTA)
23. Tourism generates 2.5 million direct jobs and more than 5 million indirect jobs. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
The Profile of Tourists Visiting Mexico
24. The average age of tourists in Mexico is 38 years. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
25. 49% of tourists in Mexico are men. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
26. 51% of tourists in Mexico are women. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
27. 7 out of 10 visitors are under 45 years old. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
28. 89% of tourists in Mexico have access to, use, and appropriate the internet. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
29. 54% of tourists stay with family and friends. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
30. 1 in 4 travelers stay in hotels. (GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO)
31. 33% of tourists visit Mexico City for vacations. (SECTUR)
32. 21% of tourists visit Mexico City to see family and friends. (SECTUR)
33. 13% visit Mexico City for work or business. (SECTUR)
34. 36% of visitors say their favorite thing is the historical heritage. (SECTUR)
35. 20% of visitors say their favorite thing is the architecture and urban planning. (SECTUR)
36. 14% of visitors say their favorite thing is the diversity of tourism. (SECTUR)
37. 73% of national tourists arrive in Mexico City by bus. (SECTUR)
38. 58% of national tourists arrive by the STC (Metro). (SECTUR)
39. 17% of national tourists arrive by taxi. (SECTUR)
40. 78% of tourists come from the American continent. (SECTUR)
41. 25% of tourists come from the United States. (SECTUR)
42. 51% of tourists come from Central and South America. (SECTUR)
43. 17% of tourists come from Europe. (SECTUR)
44. 2% of tourists come from Asia. (SECTUR)
45. 2% of tourists come from Oceania. (SECTUR)
46. 1% of tourists come from Africa. (SECTUR)
47. 98% of tourists stay overnight in the city. (SECTUR)
48. 35% of tourists have previously visited Mexico City. (SECTUR)
49. 7 out of 10 tourists who visit Mexico City are of national origin. (SECTUR)
50. 8 out of 10 national visitors report incomes of less than 21,500 pesos. (SECTUR)
51. 7 out of 10 international visitors report incomes of no more than 7,500 US dollars. (SECTUR)
52. 4 out of 10 tourists traveling to Mexico City travel alone. (SECTUR)
Types of Tourism
Religious Tourism
53. Mexico has 84 cathedrals and 196 historic churches, convents, and former convents. (SECTUR)
54. Mexico is among the top 10 countries for religious tourism in the world. (EL ECONOMISTA)
55. Religious tourism generates at least 10,200 million pesos annually in Mexico. (EL ECONOMISTA)
56. People who come to Mexico for religious tourism spend 18 billion dollars each year. (EL ECONOMISTA)
57. 20% of global tourism is motivated by religious travel. (SECTUR)
58. The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the top religious site in the world in terms of the number of pilgrims it receives. (SECTUR)
