Mexico Just Had North America’s Strongest Tourism Year
International arrivals and visitor spending climbed in Mexico last year even as both metrics declined in the U.S. and Canada.
Photo: Jezael Melgoza / Unsplash
Mexico emerged as North America’s strongest travel and tourism market in 2025, outperforming both the United States and Canada across key tourism metrics, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The organization’s latest Economic Impact Research report found that Mexico led the region in travel and tourism GDP growth, international visitor spending, and international arrivals last year, reinforcing the country’s momentum as one of the world’s fastest-growing leisure destinations.
According to WTTC, Mexico’s tourism GDP grew 1.8% in 2025, ahead of Canada at 1.2% and the United States at 0.9%. International visitor spending in Mexico also rose 3.5%, while both neighboring markets recorded declines, with spending down 4.6% in the U.S. and 3.5% in Canada. International arrivals to Mexico climbed 6.1% year over year, compared to declines of 5.5% in the U.S. and 0.6% in Canada.
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The figures show a broader trend that has been building for several years: Mexico continues to benefit from strong air connectivity, relative affordability, expanding luxury inventory, and sustained demand from North American travelers
“Mexico’s performance in 2025 clearly shows the strength of its tourism sector and its growing competitiveness on the global stage,” said Gloria Guevara, the president and CEO of WTTC, in a release.
The report also points to continued resilience across the wider North American travel market despite geopolitical uncertainty elsewhere globally. WTTC noted that the region has been somewhat insulated from disruptions tied to conflicts in the Middle East due to its stronger reliance on domestic travel and less dependence on affected transit routes.
Looking ahead, WTTC expects the 2026 FIFA World Cup to provide another major tailwind for tourism growth across North America. The organization forecasts travel and tourism GDP growth of 2.4% in Mexico this year, alongside 2.1% in the U.S. and 6.4% in Canada.
“The FIFA World Cup presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for North America to accelerate tourism growth, strengthen connectivity, and showcase the region to millions of travellers worldwide,” Guevara said.
WTTC projects the tourism industry will support 30.9 million jobs across North America in 2026, accounting for 12.7% of all employment in the region.
