Mexico broke five tourism records from January to September 2026, registering a 5.5% increase in international travelers (74.9 million in total) compared to the same period in 2025, as well as 36 million international tourists (3.8% more) and 9 million cruise passengers (12.3% more), reported Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, head of the Ministry of Tourism. In addition, total spending by international travelers in the country increased 1.4%, reaching 26,096 million dollars, while cruise passenger spending rose 16.3% to 778 million dollars, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). "These figures haven't been seen in more than 26 years, and it's something very significant for all of Mexico," the official said during the press conference this Friday, November 13. Josefina Rodríguez, Secretary of Tourism, during President Claudia Sheinbaum's press conference at the National Palace this November 13, 2026. Photo: Fernanda Rojas / EL UNIVERSAL Rodríguez Zamora also stated that from January to September 2026, a flow of 141.8 million passengers was recorded at the country's domestic and international airports. Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ranks first with 33.7 million passengers; second is Cancún airport with 21 million; Guadalajara with 14.3 million; fourth is Monterrey with 11.7 million, and Tijuana, in fifth place, with 9 million. "More than 141 million people passed through our main airports, both domestic and on international flights. And I want to tell you that AIFA moved up in our ranking from number eight to number six (with 5.7 million passengers); it has grown considerably, so we are very pleased that our airport continues to gain more routes and more frequencies," she emphasized. Likewise, 211 new air routes were registered nationwide as of October: 112 international and 99 domestic. In addition, 80.6 million domestic tourists were recorded, meaning 713 thousand more tourists staying in hotel rooms from January to September 2026. Josefina Rodríguez, Secretary of Tourism, during President Claudia Sheinbaum's press conference at the National Palace this November 13, 2026. Photo: Fernanda Rojas / EL UNIVERSAL On the other hand, the Secretary of Tourism stated that the Maya Train has transported 70,919 foreign visitors (3% more than in the same period of 2025). She explained that tourists transported from Colombia increased 27.4%; from Brazil, 26.8%; from Japan, 11.1%; from Canada, 6.9%; from Australia, 5.6%; and from Switzerland, 3.9%, which she attributed to the diplomatic work of authorities. Regarding tourist flow in September 2026, the official indicated that Mexico received 7.25 million international travelers (-0.5% compared to 2025), as well as 3.30 million international tourists (2.7% more). In this regard, Rodríguez Zamora detailed that the United States lost 3.4% of air tourists in this period; Turkey gained 0.9%; Japan lost 9.6% and Colombia 5.2%, while Mexico rose one percentage point. "The economic revenue this month far exceeded expectations; we reached more than 1,944 million dollars, 5.7% more, and tourist spending in September was 7.1% higher — tourists spent 1,189 million dollars this September," she explained. Meanwhile, tourist flow reached 718,173 people, and spending of 61.6 million dollars was recorded, 5.9% more than in September 2025. Tourism GDP increased 0.4% in the January–March 2026 quarter, while domestic tourism consumption rose 0.1%. Finally, Josefina Rodríguez highlighted that Mexico hosted the IBT Americas trade fair, which took place from November 10 to 12 and featured the participation of 5,000 people, 62 countries, 300 exhibitors, and 200 buyers. "The president pushed hard for this event. We are a tourism power, the sixth most visited country in the world, and we had never hosted an international tourism fair. (...) It is a networking space where all the commercial alliances for 2027 and 2028 are closed, and it is a stage that opened a new showcase for our country and, above all, for learning about our tourism segments," she said. You may also be interested in: Audit finds overpayments to Landsmanas companies, points to irregularities in contracts "The left understood the social media algorithm too late": Camila Vallejo, Boric's former spokesperson Daira Martínez, 9 years old, attends university and is nominated for the Latin American Leaders Awards Join our channel! EL UNIVERSAL is now on WhatsApp! From your mobile device, find out the day's most relevant news, opinion pieces, entertainment, trends, and more. nro