The head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, ruled out on Wednesday that violence in various regions of the country has a negative impact on the arrival of tourists, ensuring that the sector maintains an ascending trend.
During the 85 Annual General Assembly of the American Society of Mexico, the official emphasized that, despite the concerns of security in the country, the perception of international tourism remains positive.
He stressed that the government already pursues a “solid security strategy” and that the work of the agency in charge “is to attract more tourists to meet Mexico and their culture.”
Although he was questioned about areas with a high criminal incidence, such as Sinaloa, a region in which organized crime is disputed by drug trafficking, the official said that the Mazatlan tourist port is one of the 10 safer cities in the country.
Expectations and results of the sector
In this context, the official said that tourism in the country has growth expectations of 5% by 2025, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The head of the Sectur stressed that Mexico remains the sixth most visited country in the world and that tourism is a “multiplier sector” that generates prosperity in communities and employs millions of people.
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According to the official, the country registered almost 87 million visitors in 2024, of which 45 million were international tourists, which represented an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.
He also presumed that the economic benefits for tourism in Mexico grew 7% at an annual rate with more than 29,254 million dollars.
“I always repeat it a lot, there is always a surplus in this balance, so tourism is the most important sector in the economic issue generated by this multiplier factor,” he said.
EU, key market for Mexican tourism
The official explained that the United States continues to be the main issuer of tourists to Mexico, with more than 12 million visitors per year, which represents 70% of the total number of foreign travelers.
In 2023, American tourism to Mexico grew by 10.5%, while spending increased by 13%.
As part of her strategy to consolidate this market, the official said that she will implement a series of ‘Road Shows (presentations)’ in 10 key cities in the United States, including Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles, with the aim of attracting more visitors and diversifying The tourist offer beyond the sun and the beach.
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In addition to the US market, the Secretariat highlighted its expansion strategy to emerging markets, such as Asian and European. Mexico has been chosen as a guest country at the International Tourism Fair in Berlin (ITB), which will reinforce the promotion of national destinations in the European market.
Rodríguez Zamora also highlighted the importance of the 2025 tourist tianguis, which will be held in Baja California and San Diego, as a platform to consolidate the presence of Mexico in the international arena.
Within the framework of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, which will have Mexico as headquarters with the United States and Canada, the Ministry of Tourism estimated the arrival of more than 7 million additional visitors to the country during the event.
With EFE information
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