Mexico International Arrivals Grow By 7% With Cancun The Top Destination

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CANCUN — In a global landscape marked by economic uncertainty and currency volatility, Mexico’s tourism industry is proving to be a powerhouse of resilience. A new report from the National Business Tourism Council (CNET) and STARC Anáhuac reveals that international tourist arrivals to Mexico surged by 7.5% between January and August 2025, with the country welcoming 31.5 million visitors.

This massive influx, which generated $23.9 billion in revenue (a 6.5% increase), solidifies Mexico’s position as the sixth most visited country in the world.

But the most interesting part of the story lies deeper in the numbers. While national air arrivals saw a minor 2.3% contraction (offset by a boom in border tourism), Cancun International Airport (CUN) has held its ground, stabilizing near the all-time record-breaking levels of 2024.

Even with a historically strong “super peso” making travel more expensive, Cancun remains the undisputed engine of Mexico’s tourism success. Here at The Cancun Sun, we’re diving into the four key pillars that explain why Cancun continues to dominate.

1. Unmatched Air Connectivity

Cancun’s superpower is its airport. CUN is one of the best-connected airports in the Western Hemisphere, making it an “easy yes” for millions of travelers.

The new CNET report shows that the two most important markets for Mexico have remained strong: the United States, with 9.5 million arrivals, and Canada, which posted a significant 11.2% growth with 1.86 million arrivals. Cancun is the primary recipient of these travelers. This massive, constant flow of flights keeps prices competitive and makes a long weekend trip feasible for a huge portion of North America.

2. The King of the All-Inclusive Model

In a time of inflation and economic uncertainty, the all-inclusive resort model is more appealing than ever. It offers travelers “value certainty”—the ability to lock in the entire cost of their vacation (accommodations, gourmet food, and premium drinks) in one single transaction.

This is why, even as air arrivals saw a slight dip, the average spending per visitor rose to $1,252.5, the highest level since 2019. Travelers are not necessarily looking for the cheapest trip; they are looking for the best value. Cancun’s 5-star resorts, which have mastered the art of high-end, all-inclusive luxury, are the perfect answer to this demand.

3. A Massive Investment in Infrastructure

Cancun isn’t sitting still. The government is actively spending billions to solve the destination’s biggest “growing pains,” and travelers are noticing.

• The Tren Maya is now operational, connecting Cancun to the rest of the peninsula.
• The Nichupté Bridge over the lagoon is nearing completion, promising to finally ease the Hotel Zone’s infamous traffic.
• The e-Gates at CUN Airport are slashing immigration times, making the arrival process smoother than ever.

This continuous investment signals to the world that Cancun is a stable, modern, and serious global destination committed to improving the guest experience.

4. A Proactive and Visible Security Strategy

The CNET report notes that the industry faces challenges, including “security incidents or those caused by tourism providers.” Cancun’s response has been to meet this head-on with a strategy of “forceful” security.

Travelers arriving in the Hotel Zone today are greeted by a highly visible, coordinated presence of the National Guard, State, and Municipal police. This proactive stance, combined with new C5 surveillance systems, has created a secure “bubble” in the tourist corridors that gives travelers the peace of mind they need to relax, despite what they may read in sensational headlines.

The Verdict:

The CNET report confirms that tourism is a “fundamental engine for the country’s economy” and a “source of macroeconomic balance.” Cancun is the undisputed pillar of that engine. The slight normalization from 2024’s “revenge travel” boom was always expected. The real story is the new, incredibly high baseline. Cancun has proven its resilience, and it is charging into the 2025-2026 high season as the unshakeable, #1 destination for international travelers in Mexico.