Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) reported that spending by foreign visitors in Mexico during the summer vacation period increased by nearly 5% compared to the same months last year, according to an analysis conducted by Visa Consulting & Analytics.
Restaurants and lodging were the main sectors that benefited, consolidating a positive trend for international tourism in the country.
Minister of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora noted that Mexico City and the Riviera Maya concentrated most of the tourist spending, while Tijuana and Los Cabos recorded the highest growth compared to summer 2024, with increases above 20% and 15%, respectively.
“International tourism in Mexico is showing growing dynamism, and at the same time we are seeing significant adoption of digital payments, which facilitates and streamlines the visitor experience,” Rodríguez Zamora emphasized.
The official specified that credit card spending increased by nearly 10%, while debit card expenditures grew by around 5%. The main categories were restaurants, lodging, and medical expenses, with increases of nearly 10% compared to the same period last year.
One of the most important findings of the report was the 105% growth in the use of contactless payments during this vacation season, reflecting confidence in digital tools and Mexico’s interest in consolidating itself as a competitive and modern tourist destination.
According to Sectur, visitors from the United States, Colombia, and Canada led overall spending during the summer, with increases of more than 5% compared to the previous year.
The Minister of Tourism stressed that collaboration with Visa is strategic for designing public policies that boost economic benefits in host communities, in line with the regional development and Shared Prosperity vision promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s administration.
Francisco Valdivia, General Director of Visa Mexico, said that “this collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism allows us to identify trends and improve payment experiences for international travelers, thereby fostering the adoption of digital payments and the growth of tourism in the country.”
Sectur and Visa reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to promote the use of digital tools that make tourism in Mexico a safe, reliable, and sustainable experience. With this effort, the country seeks to strengthen its image as one of the world’s leading destinations, while fostering prosperity for the communities that depend on this economic activity.
Related: Mexico Reaffirms Its Commitment to Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
