Mexico Travel and Tourism Market Overview - The United States is the most important destination for Mexican travelers. In 2006, 13.3 million Mexicans traveled to the United States, representing over a quarter of the total foreign arrivals to the country. Mexico is the second source of international travelers to the United States just after Canada. Additionally, travel to the U.S. interior grew by 26% to register 5,840,839 arrivals.
The growth ranked Mexican travel to the U.S. interior larger than the number one overseas visitor market. The UK (4,176,211 arrivals). This is good news for U.S. destinations and tourism services. U.S. companies need to market themselves aggressively in Mexico to tap into this lucrative market.
Best Services to Sell Mexico Tourism Market
It is important to differentiate between land and air Mexican travelers to the United States. Mexican land tourists usually travel to the southern states for a short time period in order to visit relatives or friends and do shopping. On the other hand, air travelers do visit family but also make pleasure trips. These tourists are particularly lucrative since they are the ones who generate most of the travel and tourism receipts to the United States. Air travelers usually stay longer and buy packages that include transportation, lodging, shopping, and recreational activities.
The Mexico Tourism Market Opportunities
Mexicans are drawn to the United States because of its destination diversity, infrastructure and excellent travel and tourism services. In particular, Mexicans enjoy destinations that offer shopping, gambling, entertainment, amusement parks and a cosmopolitan environment. Natural parks and other outdoor destinations are typically not as attractive for Mexicans. Skiing is the notable exception – Mexicans flock to resorts in Colorado and New Mexico in the winter months to ski.
Wholesale operators continue to be the most important distribution channel in the Mexican travel and tourism market. Wholesalers sell their packages to the travel agents who provide their services to the end consumers. Mexicans prefer to make their traveling arrangements through a travel agent, since they are not confident about providing their credit card information through the Internet. |
