Market Overview
The United States is the most important destination for Mexican travelers. In 2006, 13.3 million Mexicans traveled to the United States, representing over a quarter of the total foreign arrivals to the country. Mexico is the second source of international travelers to the United States just after Canada. Additionally, travel to the U.S. interior grew by 26% to register 5,840,839 arrivals. The solid growth ranked Mexican travel to the U.S. interior larger than the number one overseas visitor market - the United Kingdom (4,176,211 arrivals). This is good news for U.S. destinations and tourism services. U.S. companies need to market themselves aggressively in Mexico to tap into this lucrative market.
Best Products/Services
It is important to differentiate between land and air Mexican travelers to the United States. Mexican land tourists usually travel to the southern states for a short time period in order to visit relatives or friends and do shopping. On the other hand, air travelers do visit family but also make pleasure trips. These tourists are particularly lucrative since they are the ones who generate most of the travel and tourism receipts to the United States. Air travelers usually stay longer and buy packages that include transportation, lodging, shopping, and recreational activities.
Market Opportunities
Mexicans are drawn to the United States because of its destination diversity, infrastructure and excellent travel and tourism services. In particular, Mexicans enjoy destinations that offer shopping, gambling, entertainment, amusement parks and a cosmopolitan environment. Natural parks and other outdoor destinations are typically not as attractive for Mexicans. Skiing is the notable exception – Mexicans flock to resorts in Colorado and New Mexico in the winter months to ski.
Wholesale operators continue to be the most important distribution channel in the Mexican travel and tourism market. Wholesalers sell their packages to the travel agents who provide their services to the end consumers. Mexicans prefer to make their traveling arrangements through a travel agent, since they are not confident about providing their credit card information through the Internet.
Resources
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)
Market Research
Incentive Travel in Mexico
According to the travel and tourism professionals in Mexico, over
two thirds
(69%) of the travel wholesalers, operators, and agents offer
incentive travel
packages. Moreover, most of the travel wholesalers and operators
who specialize
in incentive travel make a difference between this market segment
and group
travel. In order to increase incentive travel sales, Mexican tour
operators work directly with companies. The based in Mexico trade
indicated that during 2004 incentive travel registered an
increase of nearly 65% compared to last year. In 2005 incentive
travel is expected to grow by and additional 30%.
Incentive travel companies have mentioned their biggest clients
in Mexico are
local and multinational companies in the following sectors:
pharmaceutical and laboratories, insurance, automotive, travel
and tourism services, direct sales companies, financial services.
To obtain the full text of this report please contact us.
Utlilizing Mexican Tour Operators to Jumpstart Your Business
To tap into this lucrative market, working with Mexican
wholesalers and tour
operators is crucial. Although independent travel and internet
research are on
the rise in Mexico, Mexican travelers typically rely on the
traditional methods
of approaching travel agents and tour operators for travel
options and to book
their travel plans.
The following tips will help U.S. receptive tour operators obtain
access to the
Mexican market:
1) In-country promotion
2) Personal relationships are crucial
3) Tailor your packages to the Mexican clientele
4) Speak Spanish whenever possible
5) Realize that Mexicans are last-minute travelers
6) Distinguish yourself by specializing in what you know
To obtain the full text of this report please contact us.
Trade Events
Upcoming Events in Mexico
Expo Vacaciones USA 2009 - See America Media Day 2009: February 16 – 18, 2009 – Mexico City
Expo Vacaciones USA is the largest travel show in Mexico that promotes the United States as a travel destination. In addition to the floor traffic, the U.S. Commercial Service Mexico will help arrange a whole day of one-on-one business appointments, which has proven to be extremely productive for all U.S. exhibitors. During Expo Vacaciones USA, the See America Media Day will take place, that is designed to provide U.S. destinations and travel & tourism companies with an opportunity to meet and network with the most important Mexican trade and consumer journalists. For more information please contact: Juan Carlos Ruiz.
International Pow Wow 2009: May 16 – 20, 2009 – Mexico City
International Pow Wow is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of Visit USA travel. With three days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, international delegates can meet with targeted suppliers from more than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations from every region and segment in the U.S. The U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico will organize a delegation of qualified travel professionals to meet suppliers at this show. For more information please contact: Juan Carlos Ruiz.
Upcoming Mexican Buyer Delegations to the U.S.
La Cumbre 2009- The Americas Travel Summit: September 2 – 4, 2009 - Miami, FL
La Cumbre - The Americas Travel Summit, is the premier marketplace for travel professionals from throughout the Americas. La Cumbre hosts approximately 1200 delegates including suppliers/exhibitors, buyers, the travel press, principals of Visit USA Committees in Latin America, leading air carriers and general sales agents. More than 30 countries are represented and activities include three days of pre-scheduled business appointments, seminars and networking opportunities. The U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico will organize a delegation of qualified travel professionals to meet suppliers. For more information please contact: Juan Carlos Ruiz.
Further Information, Comments and Questions
If you wish to write us regarding these reports, please contact Juan Carlos Ruiz, Trade Specialist on Travel and Tourism in the Mexico Sector of the US Commercial Service Mexico City Office.