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Mexico Sets 2025 Tourism Records Even as Air Arrivals Dip and Per-Visitor Spend Declines

Officials tout a World Cup lift in 2026, with analysts urging policy moves to convert exposure into durable gains.

Overview

  • INEGI reported 98.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 13.6%, including 47.7 million overnight tourists, up 6.1%.
  • Tourism foreign‑exchange earnings reached a record $34,991.6 million, rising 6.2%, while average spend fell to $356 per visitor (−6.6%) and $664 per tourist (−1.2%).
  • Higher‑value arrivals by air declined 1.3% to 22.87 million as land entries rose 15.6%, with excursionists and border travel driving much of the increase.
  • December closed strong with 10.13 million visitors (+12.3%) and $3.77 billion in inflows (+1.9%), alongside a 9.3% year‑over‑year drop in average outlay per visitor.
  • The government projects about 5.5 million visitors for the 2026 World Cup, and Banco Base estimates higher tournament spending and a modest GDP lift, while analysts warn durable benefits are not automatic.