Mexico Sees More Tourists but Less Spending per Visitor

Mexico City — The number of international travelers visiting Mexico increased in May, but the average spending per tourist declined by 9.9 percent compared to the same month last year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).

In May 2025, more than 7.938 million people entered Mexico, marking an 18 percent rise from the 6.729 million recorded in May 2024. However, the average expenditure per foreign tourist dropped to $329.88, down from $366.27 in the same period the previous year.

The decline was primarily driven by reduced spending among visitors arriving by land. The average expenditure for land arrivals fell by 16.2 percent annually, from $367.87 in 2024 to $308.21 in 2025. In contrast, travelers entering by air spent an average of $1,222.82, a 9.6 percent increase from $1,115.31 in May 2024.

Despite the lower per-tourist spending, total foreign exchange earnings from tourism rose to $2.618 billion in May, a 6.3 percent increase from $2.464 billion in the same month last year. The most significant growth was seen in earnings from border tourists—those visiting for work or temporary activities—whose spending reached $183 million, up 28 percent from $143 million in May 2024.

The total number of international tourists, including land and air arrivals as well as border visitors, reached 3.751 million, a 10 percent increase from May 2024. Air arrivals declined by 5.6 percent to 1.681 million, while land arrivals surged by 22.1 percent to 358,000.

Separately, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), reported that from January to May 2025, Mexico welcomed 39.4 million international visitors, a 14.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism during these five months totaled $15.929 billion, up 6.4 percent from 2024 and 43.8 percent from 2019.

Rodríguez Zamora noted that 19.4 million international tourists visited Mexico in the first five months of 2025, representing increases of 6.8 percent and 6.6 percent compared to 2024 and 2019, respectively.

"With these results, Mexico continues to solidify its position as one of the most attractive and dynamic destinations in the world, as well as a key driver of well-being for Mexicans involved in this vital industry," she said.

She added, "Tourism in Mexico serves as a window for the world to experience not only our cuisine, culture, and natural attractions but also our warmth, diversity, creativity, and deep-rooted traditions."