The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects a record year for the tourism industry in Mexico in 2024, with an estimated contribution of 264 billion dollars to the national GDP. This figure represents an increase of nearly 3% compared to 2019 levels.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, presented the results of the Economic Impact Research (EIR) 2024 during her working visit to Mexico. According to the report, the tourism sector will account for 7.56 million jobs, equivalent to nearly 13% of the total employment in the country.

International visitor spending is expected to exceed 34 billion dollars, an 8.8% growth compared to the previous year. Additionally, domestic tourism is projected to reach a historic record of more than 198 billion dollars.

Simpson was accompanied by Francisco Cervantes Díaz, President of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), and Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of the WTTC, in her objective to strengthen cooperation ties with representatives of the Mexican tourism sector.

2023 Retrospective In 2023, Mexico solidified its position as one of the 98 destinations that surpassed pre-pandemic GDP contribution levels, with an increase of nearly 2% compared to 2019. The tourism industry represented 14.4% of the Mexican economy, contributing 261.6 billion dollars.

That year, the sector's workforce was bolstered with over 202,000 new jobs, reaching a total of 7.3 million jobs. International tourism spending reached 32 billion dollars, while domestic tourism hit a record of 197.8 billion dollars.

Simpson stated: "Mexico's travel and tourism sector continues to solidify its position as a global tourism benchmark and has demonstrated its fundamental role in the economic and social development of the country."

Future Prospects The WTTC foresees a promising future for the next decade, with solid growth and unprecedented professional opportunities. By 2034, the sector is estimated to contribute more than 354 billion dollars to the Mexican economy, representing 15.8% of the national GDP. It will also generate employment for 9.3 million people, equivalent to 14.5% of the country's workforce.

The WTTC's positive projection underscores the crucial role of the travel and tourism sector in Mexico's sustainable economic growth and its ability to remain a global leader in the tourism industry.