Thanks to data collected in 2016 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Mexico ranks as the 8th most popular destination on Earth for international tourists. The World Tourism rankings are revealed three times per year, which compare countries based on the number of international visitors they welcome, in addition to the amount of revenue generated by their inbound and outbound tourism. Ranking 8th on the list this year, Mexico was able to outshine other top beach destinations such as Greece, Thailand, Portugal, Turkey and the Dominican Republic.
Why Mexico’s International Tourism is so Strong
As per a report published in El Universal, a Mexican newspaper, tourism in Mexico has surged in recent years thanks in part to alluring exchange rates for tourists who visit from countries like Canada, the US and Europe. Published this year in July, the article proclaimed that the number of tourists traveling to Mexico from the US has nearly doubled in the previous 5 years, swelling from 5.9 million tourists in 2012 to 9.6 million in 2016, according to the Bank of Mexico’s data.
Although more tourists are visiting Mexico than ever thanks to the lure of its generous exchange rates, international globetrotters have long been vacationing there because of its many virtues. With fast and accessible travel from North America, affordable flights from Europe, welcoming locals, delectable cuisine, fascinating cultural traditions and celebrations, and amazing sunny weather throughout the year in many popular beach destinations, Mexico is set to please just about any type of traveler out there.
Safety in Mexico
Despite the negative press coverage that Mexico sometimes receives, with stories typically occurring in certain border areas that are widely known as dangerous, concerns about traveling in most parts of the country are baseless. In fact, many of Mexico’s most sought-after destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos remain safer than most cities in Europe and the USA. Tourists who follow the law are unlikely to face any dangers; however, it is still advisable to be observant and pay attention to what is happening around you, as you would on a vacation in any other place on Earth.
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