Mexico cruise arrivals at a 10-year high
Mexico cruise tourism recorded a 10-year high in 2018.
According to data from the General Coordination of Ports and the Merchant Marine, 2,603 ship calls bought in more than 7.8 million passengers.
Cozumel remains the most popular cruise destination, accounting for 54% of all cruise passengers.
Together with Mahahual and Los Cabos, these three destinations made up nearly 80% of all cruise traffic.
"With these results, the leadership of Cozumel in the cruise ship industry in Mexico and Latin America is once again confirmed," said Alicia Ricalde, head of the Quintana Roo Port Administration.
Federal tourism body Sectur said cruise visitors spent an average of US $67.
However, cruise market growth is actually down year-over-year from 13% in 2017 to 8%.
That is mostly a result of safety issues amid surging violent crime in some Mexican states, said Pablo Azcrraga, president of the National Tourism Business Council.
"Insecurity is an issue that continues to concern us, but we’re working with tour operators and the US government so that they realize that it is focused (on certain parts of the country)," he said.
Still, the government expects the tourism industry to remain buoyant with nearly 45 million visitors this year.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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