Mexico’s Tourism Up and Running in First Half of 2018

New tourism numbers announced this week 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.

Aid is beginning to reach the northern parts of the island, which were among the worst hit by the quake, but witnesses on the ground in Kayangan said hundreds of people -- many young children and elderly -- are still waiting for help to reach their area.

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.

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.

Source: Travel Pulse