Background on Mexico City’s Tourism Sector
Mexico City, a vibrant metropolis and cultural hub, has been making significant strides in its tourism sector. The city’s Secretary of Tourism, Alejandra Frausto Guerrero, recently reported promising figures to the capital’s Congress.
Tourism Figures and Projections
In the first year of the current administration, from October 2024 to September 2025, Mexico City welcomed 60.5 million visitors, generating a tourism expenditure of 157 billion pesos. This represents a 16% increase compared to the previous year.
By September 2025, the cumulative tourism expenditure reached 113.916 billion pesos. The city projects that by the end of 2025, total tourist spending will amount to 160.139 billion pesos, a 13.27% increase from 2024.
During the first nine months of 2025, approximately 11.03 million tourists stayed in Mexico City’s hotels, with the primary hotel clusters being Torre Mayor-Zona Rosa, Centro Histórico-Alameda, Norte-Basílica de Guadalupe, and Tlalpan-Taxqueña.
The Cuauhtémoc aldermanship accounts for nearly half of the accommodated tourists, offering 29,730 rooms. Meanwhile, Miguel Hidalgo boasts the highest average room rate at 3,673 pesos.
The AICM (Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México) saw 33.5 million passengers during the reported period, with two-thirds being domestic travelers and the remainder international.
Mexico City anticipates hosting 15.5 million hotel guests in 2025, a 4.7% increase from 2024. This would elevate the average hotel occupancy from 64.2% to 67.9% annually.
Tourism Promotion Efforts
In the administration’s inaugural year, 724.5 million pesos were collected through the Hospitality Tax (ISH), marking an 18.0% increase. Part of this amount will be allocated to infrastructure improvements leading up to the FIFA 2026 World Cup, while the rest will support ongoing tourism promotion.
“As one of our earliest and most strategic actions as Secretary of Tourism, we established a Mixed Promotion Turistic Fund that will become an integral part of our team’s efforts and serve as a nimble, effective execution arm,” explained Frausto.
Under the leadership of Carlos Martínez Velázquez, the fideicomiso has successfully positioned Mexico City in global markets, participating in 22 international events across three continents within just eleven months of management.
Frausto emphasized the fideicomiso’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that this mechanism has allowed for the maximization of each tourism promotion peso’s impact. Resources are strategically applied with measurable results, and alliances with the private sector have been forged, recognizing the value of collaboration with the capital.
“In 219 days, Mexico City will once again make history; we will leave a fairer, more beautiful, and sustainable city,” Frausto said regarding preparations for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. “The inauguration will be viewed by at least 500 million people, with 5 billion interacting through social media, mass media, and communication channels.”
The administration aims to attract 19 million annual tourists by 2030, focusing on culturally and gastronomically appreciative visitors rather than mass tourism. The FIFA 2026 World Cup is envisioned as a global promotional platform, transforming attendees into the city’s ambassadors.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the projected tourism figures for Mexico City by 2025? The city anticipates hosting 15.5 million hotel guests, a 4.7% increase from 2024, with total tourist spending projected to reach 160.139 billion pesos, a 13.27% rise from 2024.
- Which aldermanships are accommodating the most tourists? The Cuauhtémoc aldermanship hosts nearly half of the accommodated tourists, offering 29,730 rooms.
- What is the average hotel occupancy rate in Mexico City? The projected average hotel occupancy rate is 67.9%.
- How much has been collected through the Hospitality Tax (ISH) in the first year of the administration? 724.5 million pesos have been collected, marking an 18.0% increase.
- What is the vision for Mexico City’s tourism sector by 2030? The administration aims to attract 19 million annual tourists by 2030, focusing on culturally and gastronomically appreciative visitors rather than mass tourism.
