by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:05 AM ET, Tue August 21, 2018
New tourism numbers announced Monday revealed an astounding 20.6 million international visitors arrived in Mexico through the first six months of 2018.
According to the Riviera Maya News, Mexico's Ministry of Tourism said the first-half numbers represent a 7.3 percent increase when compared to last year, which saw 19.2 million international tourists arrive through the first six months.
Mexico tourism officials also reported around 4.2 million cruise ship passengers arrived in the country in the first half of the year, a 10.4 percent increase from the same period in 2017. In addition, the Tourism Ministry said overall visitor spending increased by 4.3 percent.
As for the hotel industry in Mexico, occupancy rates hit 70 percent during the summer holiday season. Puerto Morelos reported an average hotel occupancy above 90 percent, according to municipal president Laura Fernandez Pina.
"This was a great period for our destiny because lodging centers surpassed 100,000 tourists with the financial benefits distributed between lodging, restaurants, purchases and excursions," Fernandez Pina told the Riviera Maya News. "The Ruta de los Cenotes has without a doubt, been a magnet for visitors in this area where they have direct contact with the natural wealth of the destination, such as cenotes and ecological reserves."
Tourism authorities in Cancun said hotels reached a 92 percent average occupancy rate and nearly 100 percent rate for water activities, including snorkeling tours, catamaran tours and whale shark swimming.
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