The implementation of migration policies in Mexico has resulted in the loss of 842 thousand South American tourists, severely affecting destinations such as the Mexican Caribbean. Visa restrictions and mistreatment in migration are key factors in this decline.
In figures that are already scandalous due to the impact on tourism in Mexico, it is reported that 842,251 tourists from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia have stopped arriving in the country. The application of migration policies has directly hit destinations such as the Mexican Caribbean, the main recipient of these markets.
The Center for Advanced Research in Sustainable Tourism (Starc) at Anáhuac University presented these figures, referring to the impact of the migration policies imposed on South American tourism. The imposition of visas and the mistreatment that prevails in migration towards certain tourist segments in Latin America have diverted travel choices away from this country.
In general terms, the accumulated loss of South American travelers compared to the best previous year since 2019 has been significant. Just from Brazilian tourists, more than 360 thousand have been lost since September 2022, when the visa restriction came into effect. This change has had a significant impact on the country’s tourism industry.
For the Mexican Caribbean, the visa effect immediately caused the cancellation of five weekly flights with Brazil. Although it is assured that a weekly flight with this market will resume next December, the delay in activating the electronic visa does not generate consumer confidence.
In the case of Peru, the visa measure imposed last May has already resulted in the loss of 42,999 tourists who could not reach the destination. In the case of Ecuador, where the visa has been required since September 2021, 378,131 tourists have not arrived in Mexican destinations.
Additionally, the Colombian market has been mistreated in migration and has faced inadmissibility even at the airport with guaranteed accommodation reservations. This has given Mexico a bad reputation and diverted many Colombians to choose other destinations for vacations. It is estimated that more than 60 thousand tourists have been lost for this reason, of which at least 47 thousand would have arrived in the Mexican Caribbean.
These indicators, obtained from sources such as the migration policy unit and provided by STARC, reveal the impact faced by South American tourism to Mexico. These accumulated volumes have led Mexico to lose competitiveness and positions in international preferences.
For destinations such as the Mexican Caribbean, this situation has directly hit, as these emerging markets cushioned occupancy drops in many seasons. The loss of these tourists represents a significant challenge for the country’s tourism industry.
Jesús Almaguer, president of the Hotel Council of the Mexican Caribbean, considered that the figures are more than clear and do not lie.
“It is an issue that has been insisted upon and has been insisted upon before the Federation, and although deaf ears have been found, it is hoped that in the next federal administration this claim will really be heard and steps will be taken to change this migration policy that has severely impacted the destinations,” said Almaguer.
Source: Debate
