Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) estimates that 4.96 million domestic and international tourists will be staying in hotels during the 2025–2026 year-end holiday period, which runs from December 20, 2025, to January 11, 2026. This represents a 5.3 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez Zamora said the year-end holiday season is one of the most important periods for the country’s tourism industry, given its direct impact on the economy, job creation, and tourism revenue across hundreds of destinations nationwide.
“The year-end holiday season is key for the sector. It mobilizes millions of people, strengthens local economies, and consolidates tourism as a living engine of well-being for Mexican families,” Rodríguez Zamora said.
According to Sectur projections, national hotel occupancy is expected to average 56.6 percent. In high-demand destinations such as Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Maya, occupancy levels are projected to exceed 80 percent during the holiday period.
Rodríguez Zamora noted that over the past three years, the year-end holiday season has posted an average increase of 504,795 tourists, a trend that is expected to continue through the end of 2025 and the start of 2026.
She emphasized that the growth in visitor arrivals and projected occupancy levels directly support the federal government’s inclusive development goals.
“These figures represent much more than statistics: they clearly show how tourism drives shared prosperity, bringing opportunities to communities, small businesses, and workers throughout the country,” she said.
The Tourism Minister added that growth is also expected in other major destinations. Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Acapulco, and Monterrey are forecasting steady increases in visitors, while Mérida stands out this year with the highest projected growth, confirming the strong momentum of tourism in southeastern Mexico.
Rodríguez Zamora concluded by inviting Mexican families to travel within the country during the holiday season. “Traveling through Mexico is an opportunity to reconnect, rediscover our cultural richness, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. Today more than ever, Mexico is in fashion,” she said.
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