Mexico Tourism Off to Record-Breaking Start in 2018

Image: PHOTO: Scenic view of Puerto Vallarta. (photo courtesy of axl5188/iStock/Getty Images Plus) (axl5188 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: PHOTO: Scenic view of Puerto Vallarta. (photo courtesy of axl5188/iStock/Getty Images Plus) (axl5188 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 12:50 AM ET, Tue May 15, 2018

Mexico hosted a record-breaking 10.6 million tourists during the first quarter of 2018 as it continues to ascend the list of the world's most-visited destinations.

According to the Mexico Tourism Board, the visitor count represents a whopping 12.6 percent increase compared to the 9.4 million registered travelers who visited during the same period last year.

The historic opening quarter was propelled by a strong March that saw four million visitors, a 14.6 percent increase over the same month in 2017.

The jump in visitors was reflected in the country's tourism revenue, which grew by 7.2 percent over the same period last year to reach $6.2 billion.

Overall, 2018 promises to be another strong year for tourism in Mexico despite recent challenges presented by sensational media reports stemming from the U.S. State Department's revised travel advisory system.

Popular tourist regions such as Los Cabos, Riviera Maya and Acapulco continue to thrive.

As more hotels open, airlines add additional flights and officials continue to invest in tourism infrastructure, safety and security, Mexico appears primed to continue climbing the list of the world's most visited destinations, ranking sixth last year after rising as many as nine spots since 2013.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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