Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and a thriving tourism industry. However, the current state of tourism in Mexico has been impacted significantly by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s take a closer look at the current state of tourism in Mexico.
Pre-Pandemic Tourism in Mexico
Before the pandemic hit, Mexico was one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2019, over 45 million tourists visited Mexico, generating $24 billion in revenue for the country. The majority of visitors came from the United States and Canada, followed by European countries like the United Kingdom and Germany.
Mexico boasts a wide range of attractions for tourists to enjoy. From its stunning beaches to its historical landmarks and vibrant nightlife, there is something for everyone in this diverse country. Popular tourist destinations include Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mexico City.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Mexican Tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on tourism worldwide, and Mexico is no exception. In 2020, tourism in Mexico decreased by over 50% due to travel restrictions and border closures put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
However, as vaccine distribution became more widespread across North America throughout 2021 and international travel slowly resumed once again with new safety protocols put into place such as testing requirements or vaccination certificates at entry points into the country – tourism began to make a comeback.
Domestic Tourism
One positive outcome during this time has been an increase in domestic tourism within Mexico itself. With international travel restricted or limited by regulations such as testing requirements or vaccination certificates at entry points into other countries – many Mexicans have opted to explore their own country instead.
This has led to an increase in demand for domestic travel services such as hotels and tour operators. Popular destinations include the beaches of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, as well as cultural and historical sites such as Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan.
International Tourism
As mentioned earlier, international tourism to Mexico has slowly started to recover throughout 2021. However, it is still not at pre-pandemic levels.
Visitor numbers from the United States, Canada and other countries are slowly picking up again – but remain far below 2019 levels. To help encourage travel to Mexico and support the tourism industry, the Mexican government has implemented measures such as offering free COVID-19 tests and providing travel insurance that covers medical expenses related to COVID-19.
The Future of Tourism in Mexico
Despite the challenges faced by the tourism industry in Mexico over the past year, there are reasons for optimism about its future. With vaccine distribution rolling out across North America at a faster pace than before, many people are eager to start traveling again.
Mexico has also been working hard to improve its infrastructure for tourists. For example, the government recently announced a $6 billion investment plan aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism.
Conclusion
The current state of tourism in Mexico is still recovering from the impact of COVID-19. While domestic tourism has been on an uptick – international travel remains limited by regulations put into place by different countries; however with vaccines being rolled out across North America more people are starting to travel once again. Despite this challenging time for the industry – there are reasons for optimism about its future with new investments being made in infrastructure aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.