Mexico Reports 19.2 Percent Increase in International Visitors

Mexico Reports 19.2 Percent Increase in International Visitors

Continental Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines announced plans to launch a slew of new flights to Mexico from several important North American travel hubs. The new flights come hot on the heels of the Mexico Tourism Secretariat’s announcement of a 19.2 percent increase in international tourist arrivals via air to Mexico from January to August of this year.

Mexico’s tourism industry continues showing important signs of growth with an increasing number of international air passengers in recent months. From January to August of this year, the number of international tourists arriving in Mexico by air increased by 19.2 percent, in comparison to the same period last year and 6 percent in comparison to 2008, one of Mexico’s strongest tourism years on record.

From January to August 2010, Mexican airports received 7.1 million foreign visitors. The United States continues to be the main market sources for travelers into Mexico. In the first eight months of 2010, 4.33 million American travelers arrived in Mexico, a 15.7 percent increase in respect to the same period in 2009 and a 1.9 percent increase over 2008.

These numbers reflect a continued interest in Mexico by travelers from the United States, Mexico’s largest international feeder market. Approximately 61 percent of international tourists to Mexico are Americans, according to Mexico’s Tourism Secretariat (Sectur).

In addition to the new flights planned by Continental, United Airlines is boosting service into Mexico City from hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. United will launch a second daily flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City beginning Oct. 15, and a third daily flight starting Jan. 14, 2011. Starting Nov. 4, United will up their current Saturday-only service from Chicago to Mexico City to twice-daily service and their daily service from San Francisco to Mexico City to twice-daily, as well.

United will also begin offering once-daily service to Mexico City from Denver between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3, 2011, perfect for a holiday getaway. In regards to other Mexican destinations, United Airlines currently serves Cancun 31 times weekly from its hubs in Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles.