Air Arrivals to Mexico Increase, While Cruise Arrivals Take a Hit

The number of tourists who visited Mexico last year rose nearly 6 percent to 23 million, due in part to a decline in the Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar, Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism said.

Tourism revenue rose 3.4 percent in 2008 to $13.29 billion, while the average visitor spent $760 while on vacation, up 1.4 percent from 2007. The number of tourists who arrived by cruise ship fell 5.6 percent to 6.4 million, the tourism ministry said.

Of the total number of arrivals, the number of travelers visiting non-border areas rose 2.7 percent to 13.3 million, while the number of border visitors who spent at least one night rose 11 percent to 9.3 million.