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Tourism

Mexico Sees Surge in Canadian Visitors Amid US Boycott

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the US faces a boycott of travel from Canadians who are dissatisfied with the policies of President Donald Trump, Mexico is reaping the benefits. According to the Mexican Secretary of Tourism, the number of Canadian residents visiting Mexico climbed by 15.6 per cent in March compared to the same month in 2024. This increase comes as Canadian air travel to the US fell by 13.5 per cent, while cross-border road trips decreased by about a third, as per Statistics Canada. Mexico's tourism secretary, Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, attributes the surge in Canadian visitors to their preference for "friendlier policies" offered by Mexico. The strengthening of ties between the two countries has led Rodriguez Zamora to describe the relationship as a "brotherhood". The boycott of US travel in Canada is also expected to lead to a sustained "boom" in Canadian travel to Mexico, with some airlines adjusting their schedules to favor Mexico over the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of Canadian residents visiting Mexico increased by 15.6 per cent in March 2024 compared to the same month in 2024, according to the Mexican Secretary of Tourism.
  • Canadian air travel to the US fell by 13.5 per cent, while cross-border road trips decreased by about a third, as per Statistics Canada.
  • Mexico's tourism secretary, Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, attributes the surge in Canadian visitors to their preference for "friendlier policies" offered by Mexico.
  • The strengthening of ties between the two countries has led Rodriguez Zamora to describe the relationship as a "brotherhood".
  • The boycott of US travel in Canada is expected to lead to a sustained "boom" in Canadian travel to Mexico, with some airlines adjusting their schedules to favor Mexico over the US.
  • The number of Mexicans taking flights to the US decreased by almost a quarter in March this year, the first year-on-year decline since May 2022.
  • McKenzie McMillan, a travel adviser in Vancouver, expects his clients to swap beach holidays in California and Florida for trips to Cancun and Cabo, and trade city breaks in New York for Mexico City for the duration of Trump's term.

Statistics:

  • 15.6 per cent: Increase in Canadian residents visiting Mexico in March 2024 compared to the same month in 2024, as per the Mexican Secretary of Tourism.
  • 13.5 per cent: Decrease in Canadian air travel to the US, as per Statistics Canada.
  • 8.6 per cent: Contribution of tourism to Mexico's GDP in 2023.
  • 49 per cent: Increase in searches in Canada for accommodation in Mexico City on Booking.com in April 2024 compared to the same time last year.
  • 20 per cent: Increase in interest in beach destinations Cancun, Sayulita, and Playa del Carmen on Booking.com in April 2024 compared to the same time last year.

Sources:

  • Mexican Secretary of Tourism
  • Statistics Canada
  • Financial Times
  • McKenzie McMillan, a travel adviser in Vancouver
  • Booking.com
  • US Department of Commerce
  • IMF

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