Mexico received 8.36 million international visitors in May 2026—the highest figure for the month of May on record—representing a 5.3% year-over-year increase and marking nine consecutive months of figures exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
More visitors do not always translate to greater economic impact.
However, traveler spending continues to show signs of weakness, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and an analysis by Banco Base.
Spending remains the primary challenge. In May, international visitors spent $2.61 billion—a 0.3% year-over-year decrease—while average spending per person fell by 5.3% to $312.30. Among international tourists (those staying at least one night in the country), average spending dropped 4.9% to $595.67.
Gastronomic tourism: local cuisine is now a deciding factor for travel.
Banco Base explained that this trend is partly due to a shift in the visitor mix. In May, international excursionists—those who enter and leave the country on the same day—accounted for 53.1% of the total, outnumbering international tourists. Due to their short stays, this segment spends significantly less, limiting the overall economic impact even as the volume of visitors continues to rise.
Nevertheless, Banco Base warns that the impact could be lower than anticipated, as some beach destinations saw a decline in passenger arrivals during June. Los Cabos reported a 9.7% drop, Puerto Vallarta 18.7%, and Cancún 11.5%, suggesting that some travelers chose to postpone their vacations or focus on the tournament’s host cities.
Source: realstatemarket
