PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – Jalisco has emerged as the third State in Mexico with the highest influx of foreign tourists by air during the first half of 2023, while Puerto Vallarta ranks as the fourth most popular national destination in this category. These figures were revealed in the latest data from the Migration Policy Unit – Registration and Identity of People from the Ministry of the Interior (Segob).
According to a statement from the Jalisco Secretary of Tourism, from January to June 2023, Jalisco welcomed more than 1.7 million foreign tourists by air. This marks a 17% growth compared to 2019 and a 16.5% increase over 2022. These numbers represent 16% of the total foreign tourists in Mexico, placing Jalisco behind only Quintana Roo and Mexico City.
Puerto Vallarta’s Airport received 1,043,000 foreign tourists, witnessing a 14% growth over 2019 and a 15% increase from 2022. This cements Puerto Vallarta’s position as the fourth most-visited beach destination in Mexico, trailing Cancun, Mexico City, and San José del Cabo.
Additionally, Guadalajara International Airport received 656,000 foreign tourists during the first half of the year, an increase of 19% compared to 2022, positioning Perla Tapatia as the fifth destination in Mexico with the highest influx of foreign tourists.
A significant majority of the foreign tourists arriving in Jalisco were from North America, with 78% being American and 18% Canadian, together accounting for 96% of the international market in the state. The arrival of American tourists reached 1.33 million, an increase of 23% over 2019, and a 7% increase from 2022. Canadian visitors reached 299,365 passengers, marking a 3% growth from 2019 and an impressive 91% increase over 2022.
Other nationalities included the United Kingdom with 11,380 passengers (a 45.4% decrease compared to 2019), Colombia with 5,803 passengers (a 62% increase over 2019), India with 4,299 passengers (a 29% increase over 2019), and Germany, Australia, Spain, China, and France with several thousand passengers each. Other nationalities accounted for 34,687 passengers.
It is worth noting that these numbers differ from those reported by airport groups, which consider total passengers on international flights. The Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico reported a total of 2,264,800 international passengers in Puerto Vallarta in the first half of the year.
These promising numbers reflect a robust recovery for the Jalisco tourism sector and reaffirm Puerto Vallarta’s reputation as a leading destination for travelers seeking the unique beauty and culture of Mexico’s coastline. Continued growth in tourism bodes well for the local economy and suggests a strong outlook for the remainder of 2023.
