Foreign Visitors’ Spending Rises 10% During Mexico City Auto Race Week

Spending with Visa cards by foreign visitors during Mexico City’s auto race week increased by nearly 10% compared to the previous year’s event, according to an analysis by Visa Consulting & Analytics conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

In response, Minister of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora noted that major sporting events boost the local economy. “Tourism is becoming a driver of well-being and development,” she said.

Visitors from Colombia, Argentina, and Chile led spending, with consumption rising more than 20%, and in Argentina’s case, the increase reached nearly 130% compared with the previous edition.

Compared to the week before the event, total spending by foreign visitors also grew by around 10%, confirming the immediate impact on tourism activity.

Francisco Valdivia, General Director of Visa Mexico, noted that this information helps shape strategies to expand economic benefits, while emphasizing the value of collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

The study also noted a nearly 10% increase in spending with Visa credit cards, and 15% with Visa debit cards. The top spending categories were airlines, restaurants, and lodging, all with increases of close to 15%.

According to the financial services company, the use of contactless payments grew by about 45% compared to the previous year, reflecting accelerated adoption of digital payments among visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism said it is working jointly with Visa to promote digital payments in the tourism sector in order to improve the experience of national and international travelers and strengthen the regional economy, in line with Plan Mexico.

The analysis compared Visa card transactions made by foreign tourists in Mexico between October 20-26, 2025, with the same period in 2024, and also against the week prior to the event.

Pamela Cruz

Foreign Visitors’ Spending Rises 10% During Mexico City Auto Race Week