Monterrey, Nuevo León, Emerges as a Leading Meeting Destination
Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León, is solidifying its position as one of Mexico’s top cities for meeting tourism, alongside destinations like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Cancun. In 2024, this sector generated an economic spill of 3,000 million pesos, marking a 7.14% growth compared to the same period in the previous year.
Maricarmen Martínez Villarreal, Secretary of Tourism for Nuevo León, reported that the industry is projected to reach 3,500 million pesos in 2025, an increase of 16%. This growth is attributed to strategic partnerships with organizations like the Monterrey Conventions and Visitors Bureau (OCV Monterrey) to attract large international events, including the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Collaborative Efforts and Growth
Martínez Villarreal emphasized that the collaborative efforts of various associations have helped Nuevo León establish itself as a host for significant events, thanks to its infrastructure, connectivity, and high-quality services.
According to Visit Mexico and data from the International Association of Congresses and Conventions (ICCA), Mexico ranked second in the Americas for meeting tourism in 2022, with 145 events.
Nuevo León: Mexico’s Most Football-Loving State
David Manllo Valdés, Director of the Tourism Trust of Monterrey (OCV), highlighted that promoting events like FIFA 2026 requires years of joint efforts from both public and private sectors, each contributing 50%.
“We will host the largest and most important event in the world in Mexico’s most football-loving city, which is also the most football-crazed city among the three countries,” stated Manllo.
Manllo anticipates approximately 600,000 to 800,000 visitors during the 39-day World Cup. Preparations are underway for aspects such as transportation, security, and services like car rentals, transportation, and hotel accommodations for executives. With 380 days until the tournament’s start, Monterrey is diligently working to ensure a successful event.
Hotel Capacity and Event Portfolio
The Association of Hotels and Motels of Nuevo León reports 130 hotels with 17,283 tourism-grade rooms. By 2025-2026, 13 new hotels are projected to join the market, along with Airbnb’s hospitality offerings.
Manllo mentioned that Nuevo León’s international event portfolio includes the World Football Summit, Fundiexpo GIFA Mexico, AHR Expo Mexico, the General Convention of the Apostolic Church of Christ Jesus, as well as conferences in Ophthalmology, Nutrition, Dermatology, and Urban Transportation.
“In the past, medical or health-focused events were most popular; however, sports events and annual expos have gained prominence in recent years, especially at Cintermex,” Manllo explained.
Nuevo León’s meeting tourism industry mitigates seasonality, as it even surpasses Cancun’s average hotel occupancy.
- Competitive Advantages: Nuevo León offers 64 direct destinations, three convention centers, sports venues, Parque Fundidora, tourism activities, and a diverse range of event service providers.
