The economic benefit left by international visitors during 2022 was 28,016 million dollars, 41.7% more than that registered in 2021. It is also 14% higher than in 2019, prior to the pandemic that caused border closures and confinements, affecting the tourist activity in the country.
Torruco highlighted that this consolidates among the first 10 places for the second consecutive year in this area, with which the tourist potential of a nation is measured. He said that this important increase complies with the premise of the current tourism policy, which prioritizes the capture of foreign currency by international visitors, over the number of tourists.
The Secretary of Tourism pointed out that the objective of this approach is to generate greater economic benefits for the communities of the 235 places with a tourist vocation in our country.
In 2022, 38.3 million international tourists entered Mexico, a growth of 20.3% compared to 2021 and only 14.9% of what was registered in 2019.
In this area, Mexico was ranked sixth in the top 10 of the UNWTO, below France, Spain, the United States, Turkey and Italy.
This represented progress, since at the end of 2018, the country was ranked seventh in international tourist arrivals.
The Mexican official recalled that during the covid-19 health emergency, the global tourism market suffered a significant drop of 72.2% in terms of tourists and 62.6% in spending.
He also pointed out that according to UNWTO data, the arrival of international tourists worldwide in 2022 amounted to almost 963 million tourists, 111.2% more than in 2021.
Torruco stressed that by 2023, the UNWTO expects tourists to make short-distance trips more frequently and increasingly seek satisfactory value for money, “in response to the challenging global economic environment.”
The Mexican Secretary of Tourism that, by the end of the year, the country will attract 31,169 million dollars from international visitors, which would mean an increase of 11.3% compared to 2022, and 26.8% more than in 2019.
He also estimated that, in 2024, when the present administration of López Obrador ends, priority projects such as trains, airports and highways will be consolidated, among which are the mega works considered by the Mexican president as of national security and public interest to ensure its development.
“All of this will boost the economic flow and the collection of foreign currency,” concluded the Secretary of Tourism.
