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Canadians are flocking to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean in record numbers this year, with more airlines operating non-stop routes to the sun-soaked region.
According to new travel statistics, the number of Canadians visiting Cancun has nearly doubled compared to last year, a sign that the resort city remains immensely popular despite travel warnings and record sargassum levels.
Here’s why Canadians can’t seem to get enough of Cancun and what’s making travel to the city so easy:
Cancun Welcoming Record Amount Of Canadian Travelers
After the United States, Canada is the second-largest market for inbound tourism in Cancun. For years, Canadians have visited the coastal destination in search of sun, sea, and warm Mexican hospitality. And this year, they’re doing so in record numbers.
Newly-published figures from Mexico’s immigration agency show that the Mexican Caribbean welcomed nearly half a million Canadian travelers in the first quarter of the year. The number suggests a growth rate of over 90% compared to last year, and it’s expected to rise further over the year.
Mexican officials have noted that Canada applied some of the most restrictive travel policies in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which only a handful of Canadians were able to travel to Cancun. Since last October, when the last measures were lifted, Canadians have once again taken off to their favorite destinations.
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For a growing number of travelers, that destination is Cancun, which has seen its popularity skyrocket across the board. Despite travel warnings and sargassum concerns, Cancun has managed to protect its industry-leading reputation as more travelers flood the sunny resort destination.
Canadians have been especially keen on visiting the sun-soaked island, and it’s no surprise that nearly half a million of them chose to visit the resort’s destination during the first few months of the year, coinciding with Canada’s frigid winter.
Travel numbers are expected to remain elevated during the summer as Cancun resort bookings continue to skyrocket. Canadian travelers can also benefit from improved electronic immigration checks at Cancun International Airport, which have made accessing the country easier and more comfortable.
Growing Air Travel Options Boost Canadian Interest In Cancun
The overwhelming majority of Canadians that visit Cancun do so via air, and there are currently 18 aerial routes between Canadian cities and the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo.
The figure grew slightly this week when Air Canada launched its newest non-stop route from Montreal to Cozumel. The new weekly direct flight will significantly boost travel options for Quebec travelers as Cancun airport becomes increasingly congested ahead of the summer season.
Several Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines have aggressively expanded the number of flights to the Mexican Caribbean in response to record demand. Canadians have more options than ever before, and in 2021, only three direct flights operated between Canada and the Mexican Caribbean.
Canadian travelers can currently fly to the Mexican Caribbean from most large cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa, among others. While some airlines operate flights throughout the year, others do so during peak travel seasons, such as summer and winter.
While summer is one of the busiest periods for travel, Canadians can still find some amazing last-minute deals during the warm months of the year. Swoop, a Canada-based ultra-low-cost carrier, is currently offering one-way tickets for just $129 in mid-July from Toronto.
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