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Cancun has once again nearly topped a major international travel popularity ranking after being named the fifth most popular summer destination worldwide in 2024 by Mastercard.
The study, published by the prestigious Mastercard Economics Institute, confirms Cancun’s status as a major global hotspot for resort travel as the city continues to launch more luxurious resorts.
Travelers will be heading to Cancun this summer not only in search of pleasant tropical weather but also amazing accommodations, world-class service, and breathtaking Caribbean experiences.
With that in mind, here’s a look at why Cancun is one of the leading international destinations in 2024.
Tropical Destinations Top Mastercard’s Summer Getaway Study
Each summer, tens of millions of Americans head south in search of top-notch beaches, amazing weather, and endless nightlife.
In 2024, a record number of Americans are expected to travel to Cancun, a destination that has captivated U.S. travelers for decades already.
A new study published by Mastercard now confirms the Mexican resort hotspots’s reputation as a resort heavyweight after being ranked the 5th trendiest designation worldwide for summer 2024.
The study revealed that warm beach destinations are all the rage with travelers, with hotspots like Bali and Corfu reaching the top 10 spots as the record-breaking summer season approaches.
While Munich was found to have the highest increase in bookings compared to last year, Cancun stands out as the only destination in Mexico to appear in the top 10.
What’s more, Cancun is the only Caribbean hotspot ranked among the most popular destinations in the region, with countries like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica failing to reach the top positions.
Unlike other rankings, which are largely based on traveler feedback and subjective criteria, Mastercard’s latest analysis looks at measurable metrics and large quantities of data to determine the latest travel trends.
The most significant variable in the study is the number of flight bookings between June and August 2024, a period that corresponds to the peak of the summer travel season.
Mastercard added that Cancun remains by far the most appealing destination for American travelers in the Caribbean, owing to its growing international connectivity and unparalleled luxury accommodations.
Despite already boasting one of the busiest international airports in the Americas, Cancun’s airport is expected to welcome well over 30 million travelers this year as the coastal hotspot continues to attract more visitors.
Cancun is currently home to a whopping 35,000 hotel rooms and several hundred hotels & resorts, as well as several thousand vacation rentals.
But even as competition for space in Cancun’s hotel district grows, more resorts are opening their doors to travelers.
This summer, at least three new resorts will begin operating in the coastal hotspots, including AVA Cancun, a massive over 1000-room property.
The launching of the Maya Train railway system is also expected to provide a significant boost to Cancun’s travel potential, enabling smoother connections between the region’s main resort hotspots.
Together with the new Felipe Carrillo International Airport, Cancun is more connected than ever, and will very likely break its all-time travel record this year.
In addition to new hotels & growing international connectivity, officials in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean are implementing new measures to tackle crime, making the region safer and more welcoming for travelers.
And with multiple studies confirming the city’s unique standing as the most popular destination worldwide, there’s no question about Cancun’s undeniable travel appeal.
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