Mexico Still Expects Hefty Visitor Growth Despite Natural Disasters

Despite the battering that Mexico´s Yucatan peninsula has received from hurricanes this year, authorities still expect the country will surpass the 21 million visitors logged in 2004. Many observers believe this is a target too tough to meet.

In 2004, visitors spent $10.8 billion, equal to roughly 1.6 percent of the country´s GDP. This year revenues were expected to reach $12.0 billion. During the first half of the year, Mexico counted 11.3 million visitors, who spent $6.5 billion. The government expects that the country will receive over 40 million tourists within a decade.

Among growth factors for tourism, the country´s Tourism Chamber names the new glitz surrounding the Mayan Riviera along Mexico´s Caribbean coast, the development of low-fare airlines, as well as the expected privatization of airlines Aeromexico and Mexicana, which should boost competition.