Guadalajara -
Mexico's Dept. of Tourism (Sectur) reported today that more than 28 million people visited this country in 2014, leaving behind an estimated windfall of $16 billion U.S. dollars.
In a year otherwise filled with gloomy economic news, tourism emerged unscathed, and is helping to sustain Mexico's challenged national economy.
International tourist arrivals in 2014 were 19.3% higher than in 2013, according to Sectur.
Mexico remains the world's most popular destination for American travelers. In the first nine months alone of 2014, 18.4 million U.S. nationals visited the country, representing 66% of all foreign tourist arrivals last year.
Agency statistics indicate that Mexico has about 660,000 rooms available nationwide. The average tourist spent four nights in lodging, except at the major beach resorts, where stays averaged seven nights in the year just ended.
Cruise ship arrivals in Mexico were also up dramatically last year, Sectur reported, rising 68% on the Pacific coast and 25% at Caribbean ports of entry.
A typical cruise ship passenger spends $72 dollars per day while in Mexico, Sectur said, but those arriving in Cozumel tend to spend $100 daily. Cozumel hosted about 1,500 cruise ship arrivals in 2014, each one of which, on average, pumped $50,000 USD into the local economy.
Mexico's Riviera Maya on the nation's southeastern coast had another banner year in 2014, as did Cancún, the port of entry of choice for a huge number of international visitors. The Quintana Roo state economy is overwhelmingly dependent on foreign and domestic tourism.
Mexico City is also increasingly the primary destination of travelers from abroad, Sectur reported.
Sept. 1, 2014 - Despite U.S. warnings, Mexican tourism is posting record results
May 16, 2014 - In Cancún, Peña Nieto bets on tourism, health services
Feb. 9, 2014 - Mexico second in medical tourism, government reports
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