Background on the Tourism Sector in Mexico
The tourism sector has long been a vital component of Mexico’s economy, providing employment and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. The Instituto Nacional de Geografía y Estadística (INEGI) recently reported that in 2024, tourism accounted for 8.7% of Mexico’s national GDP.
Growth in Tourism Sector
According to INEGI, the tourism sector grew by 2.5% in real terms (adjusted for inflation to 2018 prices) during 2024. This growth outpaced the overall economic growth, which increased by 1.3%. The expansion was primarily driven by the transportation of passengers, cultural services, and accommodation services.
- Transportation of Passengers: This segment experienced a 5.6% annual growth.
- Cultural Services: This area saw a 4.2% increase.
- Accommodation Services: These services grew by 1.2%.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
The year 2024 marked the final year of the previous administration, which saw the dissolution of the Consejo de Promoción Turístico de México (CPTM). This move disrupted the federal strategy to promote Mexican tourism both nationally and internationally.
Job Creation in the Tourism Sector
Based on the updated version of the Cuenta Satélite del Turismo de México (CSTM), 2024 saw the creation of approximately 2.9 million jobs in the tourism sector, representing a 3.5% increase from 2023’s 2.8 million jobs.
- Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Contributions: This subsector led with a 23.2% contribution to the total job growth.
Domestic and International Tourism Spending
In 2024, domestic tourism spending accounted for 94.0% of the total expenditure, while outbound tourism spending contributed 6.0%. On average, for every 100 pesos spent by visitors (both domestic and international) within Mexico, residents contributed around 83 pesos, highlighting the importance of domestic tourism.
Expert Opinion
The Centro de Investigación Avanzada en Turismo Sostenible (STARC) of the Universidad Anáhuac Cancún acknowledged the tourism sector’s remarkable ability to stimulate economic development and shared prosperity in Mexico.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the contribution of tourism to Mexico’s GDP in 2024? Tourism contributed 8.7% to Mexico’s national GDP in 2024.
- Which tourism subsectors experienced the most growth? The transportation of passengers grew by 5.6%, cultural services by 4.2%, and accommodation services by 1.2%.
- How many jobs were created in the tourism sector in 2024? Approximately 2.9 million jobs were created in the tourism sector in 2024.
- What percentage of total tourism spending was domestic? Domestic tourism accounted for 94.0% of total tourism spending.
