This drop is similar to the one that occurs in international tourism in Mexico. Even the drop in the flow of travelers entering by air – the most representative, because it concentrates the highest spending – remains at a similar threshold: while foreign tourists by air were 26% less than in 2019, Mexicans by air in the abroad fell 27%.
However, when talking about foreign currency spending, the gap opens up more on the Mexican side. In 2021, the average expenditure of foreign tourists in Mexico by air increased 11% to 1,110.2 dollars per person, not counting the disbursement for plane tickets.
On the other hand, Mexicans spent 41% less foreign currency abroad, and even the average spending fell 20%, going from 823.7 to 662.1 dollars.
While on the side of foreign tourists there has been greater spending linked to inflationary issues and financial pressures, Mexican travelers had an upturn at the beginning of the year due to the so-called vaccine tourism, which led them to visit US destinations that offered doses to foreigners . However, from then on it was maintained, and the expectation this year has several challenges.
“By 2022 we hope to have pressure factors such as inflation and the issue of uncertainty about what is happening in Ukraine,” explains Francisco Madrid, director of the Anáhuac Tourism Research and Competitiveness Center (Cicotur).
“I don’t think it’s going to give the tourist to change their travel pattern; As long as the conflict remains geographically contained, we are going to see a lot of people flying to Europe”, he foresees.
Forecasts of higher spending are consistent with estimates from the tourism sector. An analysis of the Expedia travel platform estimates that this year Mexican travelers will resume their travel plans, with a tendency to spend more.
“Working adults in Mexico promised to take an average of 16 days this year, three days more than in 2021 (…) 40% of Mexicans have already booked a trip, and, based on 2021 habits, they are more likely than the most other regions of the world to splurge on upgrades, such as choosing a larger room or flying first class, visiting multiple destinations on the same trip, or booking travel from emergency”, says the platform.
However, an increase in potential spending will be linked to macroeconomic conditions and even travel conditions that may affect the perception of Mexicans.
“You cannot fail to identify a very strong inflationary pressure, and that was already coming from the pandemic, which will surely be exacerbated by the issue of the war in Ukraine,” concludes Madrid.