Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Miguel Torruco Marqués, has announced that Canadian tourism to Mexico has reached historic levels during the current administration. In 2023, 2.4 million Canadian tourists arrived in Mexico by air, marking a 14.5% increase over 2018. These visitors contributed a staggering $2.7 billion USD in tourism revenue, an increase of 39.3% compared to five years prior.
Speaking on the growth, Torruco Marqués highlighted the significance of the Canadian market, which has consistently ranked as the second-largest source of international visitors to Mexico. From January to July 2024, Mexico welcomed 1.695 million Canadian tourists arriving by air, a 20.2% jump compared to the same period in 2018. Furthermore, tourist spending reached $2.08 billion USD during the first seven months of 2024, a remarkable 57.7% increase over the corresponding months in 2018.
Torruco Marqués noted that Canadian tourists primarily arrive from 25 cities, with the majority of flights originating from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton. These flights serve 18 major destinations in Mexico, including popular spots such as Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Tulum, San Jose del Cabo, and Huatulco. In 2024, 17,753 flights are scheduled between Canada and Mexico, offering an estimated 3.3 million seats for travelers.
Among the airlines facilitating travel between the two nations, WestJet emerged as the dominant player, operating 35.9% of the flights, followed by Sunwing (18.6%), Air Transat (14.2%), Flair Airlines (10.8%), and Air Canada (10.4%). Together, these carriers account for 89.9% of the routes between Canada and Mexico.
For the remainder of 2024, Mexico anticipates the arrival of 2.4 million passengers from Canada’s five largest cities. This would represent a 22% increase from 2023 figures, generating an expected $2.8 billion USD in revenue for the Mexican economy.
The surge in Canadian tourism has been largely attributed to the success of the “Operation Knock on Doors” program, an initiative that has been vital in promoting Mexico as a premier travel destination. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and various consular offices in Canada, the program has involved high-level discussions with Canadian tour operators, airlines, and other tourism stakeholders. Key consuls, including Mario Enrique Morales Romero in Calgary, Berenice Díaz Ceballos in Vancouver, Porfirio Thierry Muñoz Ledo in Toronto, and Alejandro Estivill in Montreal, have played a crucial role in the initiative.
Torruco Marqués stressed that the initiative’s targeted marketing efforts and strategic partnerships have helped promote air connectivity and investments, with the ultimate goal of benefiting local communities through tourism. This approach aligns with the broader vision of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has emphasized the role of tourism as a tool for social reconciliation and economic development.
As Canadian tourists continue to flock to Mexico, destinations such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta stand to benefit from this influx. However, this growth raises concerns about the potential impact of gentrification, particularly in regions like Puerto Vallarta, which has experienced rapid development and a significant rise in living costs for local residents. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to ensuring that the benefits of tourism extend to the local population and that the industry remains sustainable in the long term.
The ongoing success of Canadian tourism to Mexico underscores the importance of the country’s strong ties with its northern neighbor. With millions of Canadian travelers contributing billions of dollars to the Mexican economy, the tourism sector is poised to remain a key driver of growth for years to come.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Miguel Torruco Marqués, has announced that Canadian tourism to Mexico has reached historic levels during the current administration. In 2023, 2.4 million Canadian tourists arrived in Mexico by air, marking a 14.5% increase over 2018. These visitors contributed a staggering $2.7 billion USD in tourism revenue, an increase of 39.3% compared to five years prior.
