The country earned more than U.S. $7.5 billion from tourism in 1999, and nearly U.S. $3 billion was invested in 138 tourism projects in 1998 and 1999.

2001

The tourism industry overall declined severely after September 11, 2001, but long-term research by the World Tourism Organization shows that tourism has never suffered a deep and lasting recession and has always come out of turbulent times in much better shape that it has gone into them. Post 9/11, Mexico’s tourism suffered less and increased much more rapidly than elsewhere.

After 9/11/2001, an Associated Press article, “Headed South,” stated:

“American vacationers view the United States’ southern neighbor as safe from terrorist attacks, unlike Europe and Asia, where the travel business is still struggling.”

2002

Whether regardless of or as a result of circumstances elsewhere in the world, in 2002, an especially difficult year for the travel industry, Mexico’s revenue from international travelers climbed 5.1% over the preceding year to an unprecedented U.S. $8.85 billion.

The Mexican government and hotel giants like Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Carlson and Holiday Inn are investing accordingly. Hilton Garden Inn announced plans to add 900 rooms to their accommodations in Mexico by 2004.

2003

In mid-July of 2003, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism reported a 7% increase in tourism revenue with a 20% increase in related profits compared to the same period in 2002. Responding to expanding business tourism, the Mexico Tourism Board announced the opening of a new Convention Bureau (Oficina de Congresos y Convenciones de México) to promote Mexico as the ideal place for conventions, trade fairs and incentive trips.

Focusing increased emphasis on the growing numbers of travelers preferring to enter the country by road, in 2003 Mexico awarded U.S. $2.8 billion in highway construction concessions to meet this demand.

International travel to Mexico exceeded expectations in 2003. The average amount of money spent per visitor per day increased by 13.8 percent, reaching a historic annual high that generated U.S. $9.457 billion in revenues, according to statistics released in February, 2004, by Mexico's Ministry of Tourism. This increase means Mexico is now in tenth place worldwide in tourism revenues, up three notches from its ranking last year.

These figures reflect the recovery of the world economy but also Mexico's ability to provide diverse options for high-end travelers,” observed Mexico’s Tourism Secretary, who reported that private tourism investment in Mexico increased 12.2% and the industry's trade balance posted a U.S. $3.2 billion surplus in 2003, 14.5% more than 2002.

January 7, 2004, the Mexican Tourism Minister announced Mexico’s new ranking as the world’s top cruise destination for international tourists. And, the projection is that, including all forms of tourism, the country will host over 21 million foreign visitors in 2004, again generating earnings of over U.S. $9 billion.

Mexico currently has 30,000 tourism sector companies, creating approximately 1.9 million direct jobs. These firms, with a total investment of U.S. $40 billion, account for 8.3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Mexico's Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) provides a special information line through Infotur, the Ministry's Tourism Information Bureau, for North American consumers seeking tourism information or materials in English. Infotur offers information about Mexico including hotels, airlines, restaurants, and emergency assistance. Infotur’s toll-free phone numbers are:1-800-482-9832 in North America and 01-800-903-9200 within Mexico. These information resources are also available at the Infotur stand at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport.

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