Mexico has been ranked fourth globally by the World Travel & Tourism Council in tourism-generated revenue as a contribution to the GDP, both overall and in the specific category of leisure tourism.
The high-level performance places Mexico behind only the United States, China and Germany, and makes it the only Latin American nation in the top 10 in both rankings.
“It is a pleasure to announce that Mexico ranks fourth in both rankings, which reflects its consolidation as an international tourist destination,” head of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Gloria Guevara said during the presentation of the rankings in Cancún, Quintana Roo.
The famous beach resort was a fitting site for the presentation, as it is part of its state’s Caribbean coast that the data shows is the driving force behind Mexico’s tourism dominance.
In the indicator of direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP, Mexico registered US $149.4 billion in 2025. This figure includes the value generated directly by activities such as lodging, transportation, restaurants, travel agencies, attractions, and services contracted by visitors.
The U.S. topped the list with US $885.8 billion, followed by China with US $434.8 billion and Germany with US $202.9 billion.
Mexico also ranked fourth globally in visitor spending on leisure and recreation travel (as opposed to other travel categories, such as medical, cultural, adventure, ecological, etc.). This indicator, which considers mainly visitors on vacations and short breaks, again places Mexico behind the three largest economies in the ranking.
Guevara, a former Mexican tourism minister, mentioned that Mexico was the fastest-growing market in North America, ahead of Canada and the United States, where tourist spending contracted due to fewer travelers.
The WTTC ranked Mexico sixth in the Americas in growth of international visitor spending compared to 2019, with an increase of 1.7%. That percentage is above the world average but below Cuba, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil for that period.
Quintana Roo strengthened its position as one of the driving forces of tourism in Mexico. According to Guevara, the state maintains its momentum with its sun and beach offerings, connectivity, and collaborative efforts between the state government, hoteliers and the WTTC itself.
With reports from El Economista and SPD Noticias
