Mexico Flying High
For Mexico, there’s no slowing down.
The Mexico Tourism Board reports that Mexico’s global air connectivity continues to grow at a record pace, with airlines around the world adding new routes, additional flights on existing routes, and upgrading to the latest aircraft models with larger capacities to meet demand for travel.
As of January, airline partners had announced the addition of more than a million new seats scheduled in 2017 on international direct flights to Mexico from more than 20 countries. This includes five new Canadian routes on four carriers: Aeromexico, Vancouver to Mexico City/Calgary to Mexico City; Air Canada Rouge, Vancouver to Cancun; Air Transat, Vancouver to Los Cabos; and Sunwing Airlines, Winnipeg to Mazatlan.
“This expansion includes service to Mexico from many new international cities to multiple Mexico destinations, which is part of our strategy of international market diversification. We are delighted to see our airline industry partners continue to recognize this momentum and further expand their connectivity,” remarked Lourdes Berho, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board.
She added, “While the 2016 Mexico tourism numbers are still being finalized, it’s clear that we will have another record-setting year of industry-leading growth in terms of international visitors to Mexico.”
Since 2013, Mexico’s international tourism has grown at an annual average of 10%, double the global industry average. This performance, which includes growing from 24 million international tourists in 2013 to an anticipated 35 million for 2016, has catapulted Mexico from the 15th (2013) to the ninth (2015) most visited country in the world, according to the World Tourism Organization.
The Mexico Tourism Board’s recently announced tourism industry strategy includes a focus on developing expanded products and personalized marketing campaigns that focus on areas including luxury, wedding’s and romance, diving, mega bio diversity and nature, culture, gastronomy, high profile events, sports and adventure, as well as programs for audience segments such as millennials, LGBT and retirees.
