Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – International tourism in Mexico experienced a significant surge in 2024, with a total of 86.41 million visitors entering the country. This figure represents a 15.5% increase compared to the 74.81 million visitors recorded in 2023. The increase marks the best performance in visitor arrivals over the past five years. However, despite the strong recovery, Banco Base reported that these numbers remain 11.29% lower than 2019 levels, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Banco Base’s analysis, the most common mode of transport for international visitors was automobiles, accounting for 44.65% of total arrivals. Air travel followed, representing 26.81%, while pedestrian crossings comprised 12.29%. Cruise ship travelers made up 11.75% of the total, while land transportation accounted for 4.51%.
Strong Performance in December
Data from the International Travelers Survey, published by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), revealed that December 2024 was a particularly strong month for tourism. A total of 9.02 million visitors entered Mexico, marking a 14.67% increase compared to December 2023.
Of these visitors, 4.79 million were international tourists, representing a 4.3% annual increase, while 4.23 million were international excursionists, an increase of 29.2% from the previous year. Despite these gains, Banco Base noted that the total flow of international visitors in December was still 3.16% lower than the same month in 2019.
Economic Impact of International Visitors
The increase in visitor numbers also led to a rise in tourism expenditure. The total spending by international visitors in December 2024 reached $3.70 billion, reflecting an annual growth of 9.0% compared to December 2023.
Breaking down the expenditures, 92.5% of total tourism spending came from international tourists, while international excursionists accounted for the remaining 7.54%. However, despite higher overall spending, the average expenditure per visitor declined by 4.9% compared to the previous year, averaging $410.37 per person.
Tourism Recovery and Future Strategies
While the increase in visitor numbers is a positive sign for Mexico’s tourism industry, officials and experts acknowledge that the sector has yet to fully recover from the pandemic’s impact. The country remains behind 2019 levels, prompting the government and tourism industry leaders to seek new strategies to boost visitor numbers and spending.
Mexico continues to be a popular destination for travelers worldwide, thanks to its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and world-renowned hospitality. As the country moves into 2025, stakeholders are expected to introduce new initiatives aimed at further revitalizing the tourism industry and ensuring continued growth in visitor arrivals and economic contributions.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - International tourism in Mexico experienced a significant surge in 2024, with a total of 86.41 million visitors entering the country. This figure represents a 15.5% increase compared to the 74.81 million visitors recorded in 2023. The increase marks the best performance in visitor arrivals over the past five years. However, despite the strong recovery, Banco Base reported that these numbers remain 11.29% lower than 2019 levels, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
