Mexico Ranks Fourth in Two New WTTC Tourism Rankings

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Mexico now ranks fourth in the world in two new tourism rankings from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), placing it among the top five destinations both for the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the economy and for spending by international leisure travelers.

Fourth in Direct Tourism Contribution

At an event in Cancún, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara Manzo said Mexico is one of the world’s ten biggest economies in direct travel and tourism contribution and the only Latin American country included in either ranking.

According to the data, Mexico ranks fourth globally for direct tourism contribution, behind the United States, China, and Germany. Mexico’s travel sector generated roughly $149 billion in direct economic activity, a measure that includes spending on hotels, parks, restaurants, and other services used by visitors.

“Ranking fourth in both direct contribution and leisure travel is no small thing,” Guevara said.

Leisure Travel Spending

The second ranking focuses on spending associated with leisure travel, covering trips taken for vacations, entertainment, and relaxation, as distinct from business travel. Mexico also places fourth in this category, cementing its position among the world’s leading tourism markets.

Guevara said the results help explain why the WTTC chose Quintana Roo to release the new indicators.

“This is the reason we came to Quintana Roo to launch this indicator, because a state that has contributed so significantly to leisure travel is, of course, Quintana Roo,” she said.

Tourism Outpacing Global Economy

The WTTC president added that tourism continues to grow faster than the global economy. While worldwide economic growth was about 2.8 percent last year, the travel and tourism sector expanded by nearly 4 percent, according to the figures presented.

Globally, travel and tourism contributed $11.6 trillion and supported roughly 366 million jobs, or about one in nine jobs worldwide. Guevara also noted that the sector accounts for about one in three jobs created in recent years.

Mexico Leads North America’s Tourism Growth

Guevara also highlighted Mexico’s performance relative to the United States and Canada. While tourism growth across North America was limited, Mexico posted the strongest increase among the three countries, particularly in tourism activity and spending.

Within Latin America, Mexico remains the region’s largest tourism economy, trailing only the United States when measured across the Americas as a whole.

Quintana Roo Recognized

During the presentation, Guevara acknowledged the work done in Quintana Roo, noting the coordination between Governor Mara Lezama, business leaders, and tourism industry representatives. She said Mexico has become a global reference in tourism and that Quintana Roo continues to play a strategic role because of its high share of leisure travel.

The two new WTTC rankings are designed to complement traditional measurements that focus on visitor numbers by incorporating indicators that capture direct economic impact and spending generated by leisure travel.