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Cancun Is Now The Second Most Popular Destination In The World As Airport Breaks More Records

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The Cancun Airport Broke Its Post-Pandemic Daily Volume Record For The Second Time In Just Over A Week

Cancun’s drastic resurgence from the pandemic was officially confirmed this week, as they ranked second in a statistically driven report of the most popular global destinations.

cancun beach

The report is highlights the cities with the highest number of international arrivals from across the world. Dubai ranks at number one, making the most of its role as a major business hub while continuing to expand its allure as a leisure destination. Istanbul, Turkey comes in at third place.

To highlight Cancun’s rise to the center of the global tourist industry, in 2019 the city didn’t even feature in the top twenty. It’s joined in the top twenty this year by the capital, Mexico City, and two other Caribbean destinations enjoying success as restrictions loosen – Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and San Juan (Puerto Rico). 

cancun airport

The report lists Cancun as controlling 4% of the global share of international flights, an outstanding figure that the local tourist industry will be hoping continues long after the world returns to some level of normality. 

Other illustrious names Cancun is rubbing shoulders with on the list include London, Paris, New York, and Cairo. 

cancun beach

Matching the figures, Cancun International airport has recorded a new single day record for flights in the post-pandemic era. Just last week, the airport recorded 567, but on the 18th 648 flights landed and departed in the Mexican destination.

Of the 648 recorded, 233 were international arrivals, coming from as far flung destinations as Istanbul and Moscow.

cancun tourists

The governor of Quintana Roo voiced his pleasure on his twitter account yesterday, as he did the previous week. 

“Historic Saturday for the #CaribeMexicano! We have 648 air operations at the # Cancun Airport, we are about to break the March 2018 record of 659 operations. Welcome tourists, enjoy and take care of your health!”

cancun beach umbrellas

The 659 he is referring to is the all time time daily air operations record which was set in 2018, long before the pandemic effectively shut down the travel industry. The growth shown this year suggests the all tie record could be only days away.

With hotels expected to be approaching full capacity over the winter season, the record should be a simple feat.

cancun nightitme

Also this week, the governor warned that the success is just one side of a coin. The great recovery Mexico is enjoying could potentially be hampered heavily by the new Omicron variant. More people means more potential for spread, and with a significant increase in infection, government officials may be forced to regress Quintana Roo’s traffic light rating down to a yellow from green. If this was to happen, businesses could run but would be forced to operate at a reduced capacity. 

cancun palm trees

The Mexican tourist industry will be hoping the momentum can continue long into 2022 and beyond. With the construction of the Maya Train railway system and a brand new airport in Tulum, Quintans Roo will only become more attractive in the future, and capable of receiving more tourists. With many of the European tourist heading to the region this year looking for less restrictions than in their typical destinations, Mexico will hope enough can be done to hold onto them in years to come. 

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