Mexico registered the arrival of more than 31 million international tourists in 2021, which, although they represented a growth of more than 30% compared to 2020 -the worst year on record for tourism in the country-, still do not exceed the million travelers who visited the country in 2019. The figure is 71% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the International Travelers Survey published by INEGI.
Although the number of international travelers is still below pre-pandemic levels, foreign exchange inflows recovered at a faster rate. On the one hand, the total expenditure of international tourists was more than 18.5 billion dollars, 88% more than in 2020, and the equivalent of 83% of what was registered before the pandemic. Similarly, the average spending of inbound tourists not only recovered, but grew compared to 2019, registering an average of 960.7 dollars per traveler.
Last year, more than 18 million internment tourists entered -which do not take into account border trips, but only tourists who stay in the country-, equivalent to 76% of what was registered in 2019.
Experts explain that the arrival of international tourists is according to expectations, which contemplate the entry of more American travelers with high purchasing power, who commonly went to regions such as Europe or Asia, and who saw in Mexico a closer alternative to vacation. In addition, unlike European and Asian countries that ask tourists for various health requirements, the Mexican government does not ask for PCR tests or a vaccination certificate. Nor is a quarantine period required.
“The data is in accordance with the projection that was made after the first semester, I think that even a little more arrived than was expected at that time, which was about 28 million tourists,” says Roberto Montalvo, an academic from the Universidad Iberoamericana. “However, there are still various restrictions and fears to travel at the moment. The confidence isn’t quite there yet.”
According to an analysis by the Anáhuac Tourism Competitiveness and Research Center (Cicotur), the recovery of international tourism was driven mainly by the entry of tourists by air, which also led to the growth of tourist currency.
“December had a magnificent performance in arrivals of all components, as well as a record income in the history of records, mainly driven by the spending of tourists who entered by air,” Cicotur said in an analysis.
However, there are other segments in which the recovery is still very far away, such as cruises, which was stranded for more than a year and a half, and which closed 2021 with a drop of 81% compared to 2019.
To the extent that the indicators of visitors and income from tourism do not recover, the sectors that suffer the most from this effect are the local communities of the tourist regions.
“It is a strong economic blow. They are not only primary services, the first circle of attention, but providers of products and services that supply hotels and restaurants, which is what boosts the local economy,” said Montalvo.
