Foreign Tourism to Mexico Drops Amid Security Crisis

Mexico City — International tourism spending in Mexico fell during the first four months of 2026, marking the first decline since 2021 as security concerns and travel warnings weighed on the sector.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), foreign visitors spent $13.259 billion between January and April, a 0.4% drop compared to the same period in 2025. The decline was driven primarily by a reduction in air travelers, who typically spend more on lodging, transportation, food, and activities.

Industry experts pointed to several high-profile violent incidents that received widespread international coverage, including the capture and killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), on February 22. The operation triggered a wave of violence on major highways.

On April 20, a shooting in the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán left two dead and 13 foreign tourists injured, further damaging Mexico’s image abroad.

“These events likely influenced the decision of many international tourists to cancel or postpone their trips,” said Humberto Molina, a tourism economics consultant at Grupo Empresarial Estrategia (Gemes).

Air travelers generated $10.843 billion in the first four months, a 3.4% year-on-year decline, though they still accounted for about 82% of all international visitor spending. Molina warned that relying more on non-air arrivals could increase visitor numbers without equivalent economic benefits.

Data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency showed that Cancun International Airport, the country’s main entry point for foreign tourists, received 1.68 million international passengers from January to April, down 3.8% from 2025. Other tourist airports — including San José del Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey, Guanajuato, and Tulum — also reported declines.

Travel advisories from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, issued after recent violent events, further discouraged visitors. Official figures show that U.S. tourist arrivals at Mexican airports totaled 4.69 million in the first four months, a 6.1% decrease from the same period last year.

Beyond security, rising jet fuel prices have pushed airlines such as Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus to adjust routes and frequencies, adding to the sector’s challenges. Industry representatives warned that the combination of insecurity, higher operating costs, and tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations could pose significant headwinds for Mexican tourism in the coming months.