Mexico Sets Tourism Record in 2025 Despite Decline in Air Travel

Mexico City — Mexico welcomed a record 47.8 million international tourists in 2025, a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to data from INEGI, the national statistics agency. The country also saw tourism revenue reach an all-time high of $31.7 billion, up 4.9% from 2024.

However, the average spending per international tourist fell slightly to $664, down 1.2% from 2024, indicating signs of moderation in the sector.

Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez highlighted December’s performance, noting that Mexico received 10.1 million visitors that month, generating $3.8 billion in economic activity. Of those, 5.2 million were international tourists who spent $3.4 billion.

“December confirmed that 2025 was a year of great success for tourism in Mexico,” Rodríguez said. “We’re closing strong, with positive numbers and a solid trend that allows us to look to the future with optimism.”

She added, “2026 will be even better. We’re entering the World Cup year with a strengthened, prepared, and competitive tourism sector, ready to welcome more visitors and show the world Mexico’s greatness and diversity.”

Despite the overall positive results, the data reveals a concerning trend: air arrivals to Mexico declined by 1.3% in 2025, with 298,000 fewer passengers compared to 2024. Only 22.9 million tourists entered the country by air last year.

This decline is significant because air travelers accounted for 79.8% of Mexico’s tourism revenue in 2025, generating $27.9 billion of the total $35 billion in foreign visitor spending.

Francisco Madrid, director of the Sustainable Tourism Advanced Research Center (STARC) Anáhuac Cancún, emphasized the importance of this detail. “Why is it important to highlight the 1.3% contraction in air tourism?” he asked. “Air tourists generate 80% of tourism income in Mexico.”

Madrid noted that the decrease “speaks to a very big challenge we have as a country,” with the most worrying aspect being the lack of investment in tourism promotion. He added that security and risk levels are determining factors for international travelers choosing destinations in Mexico.

On the positive side, Madrid pointed out that Mexico’s tourism balance showed a surplus of $21.3 billion when comparing the $35 billion foreigners spent in Mexico against the $13.7 billion Mexicans spent abroad.

Experts suggest that if fewer air travelers are coming to Mexico, it’s because the country is becoming less competitive than other destinations that invest more in promotion. The contraction in air tourism is only partially offset by growth in other markets, including border tourists, cruise ship excursionists, and land arrivals, which are experiencing double-digit growth.