Mexico has firmly established itself as a global tourism powerhouse, with over 1405 municipalities engaged in various tourist activities. Fernando Gómez, a seasoned tourism industry analyst, highlights Mexico’s competitive edge, emphasizing its historical sites, ruins, forests, jungles, and beaches.

With a staggering 38 million international tourists, Mexico secures its position as the world’s sixth most visited country, behind France, Spain, the United States, Turkey, and Italy. Tourism contributes 8.7% of Mexico’s National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employs approximately 4.7 million people, making it a vital non-industrial sector.

In terms of foreign currency earnings, Mexico ranks ninth globally, with over $28 billion. Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, reports a remarkable growth in revenue, surpassing $31.1 billion in 2023, a 26.8% increase since 2019. He emphasizes that a nation’s tourism potential should be measured not just by the number of tourists it attracts, but by the foreign currency it brings in.

Mexico boasts a wide array of attractions, including 289 beaches, with the states of Quintana Roo, Baja California Sur, Guerrero, and Oaxaca standing out. The country is host to 10 world heritage cities, such as Campeche, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Morelia, Oaxaca, and Puebla, as well as 177 “Pueblos Mágicos.” Its rich history provides it with 193 significant archaeological sites, including Teotihuacán, Cholula, and the iconic Chichen Itzá, a modern wonder of the world.

Despite the setback of the pandemic, official figures confirm Mexico’s recovery in the tourism sector. The immediate challenge is to propel further growth, particularly in the country’s 235 key tourist destinations. Analysts stress the importance of a comprehensive strategy that not only drives tourist numbers up, but also focuses on enhancing the entire tourism ecosystem, encompassing service providers, airlines, transporters, and hospitality stakeholders. The goal is not just to attract visitors but to create additional services with tangible economic benefits, fostering improved development conditions, as tourism is an integral part of Mexico’s identity and its economic and cultural landscape.