Sectur highlights solid performance of cross-border tourism spending in Mexico during December 2025

The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, reported that, according to data from Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), the December 2025 season closed with solid results for Mexico, reflected in a growth of close to 15 percent year-on-year in Visa cross-border transactions, driven both by the dynamism of international tourism to the country and by the increase in trips by Mexican consumers abroad.

According to the analysis, the total number of cross-border transactions linked to Mexico registered significant growth in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, which shows a sustained boost in December purchases and a clear rebound in spending on travel, accommodation and experiences.

“These results confirm that Mexico remains a highly attractive international destination, while also reflecting tourist confidence and the strengthening of consumption linked to the tourism sector,” stated Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora.

For his part, Francisco Valdivia, general manager for Visa Mexico, noted that the 2025 holiday season highlighted Mexico's continued strength as a destination for international travelers, as well as the growing interest of Mexican consumers in experiences abroad.

“At Visa, we are proud to support this cross-border activity through digital payment capabilities aimed at facilitating more secure, seamless, and efficient transactions, helping travelers connect with commerce and spend with greater confidence,” he said.

According to data from Visa Consulting & Analytics:

Cross-border spending to Mexico

The largest volumes of incoming spending came from travelers from the United States, Canada, and France.
The hotel, travel expenses, car rental, and airline categories saw an increase of nearly 10 percent compared to December 2024.
The restaurant sector grew by 20 percent, while the entertainment category increased by more than 25 percent, reflecting a preference for spending on experiences during the holiday season.
Transactions at local retail stores by international tourists grew by more than 10 percent year-over-year.
Mexico City, the Riviera Maya, and Puerto Vallarta were the most visited destinations by international travelers during December.

Mexico's cross-border spending to the world

Transactions by Mexican travelers abroad increased by more than 10 percent in December 2025 compared to the previous year.
The United States, Spain, and Canada were the top international destinations for Mexican Visa cardholders during the holiday season.

Convenient payments

The use of Visa contactless payments in cross-border transactions grew by more than 60 percent in December 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating the preference for fast, convenient, and secure payment methods among international travelers.

Day of highest spending

December 27th was the day with the highest number of Visa cross-border transactions related to Mexico in 2025

Rodríguez Zamora also highlighted that spending patterns during the end-of-year season show a growing trend towards tourist and cultural experiences, which directly benefits local economies and the tourism value chain in the country.

“From the Ministry of Tourism, we continue to promote strategies based on information and data that allow us to strengthen decision-making, improve the competitiveness of destinations, and consolidate tourism as an engine of economic development and well-being,” he emphasized.

VCA analysis was based on international consumer transactions made with Visa cards issued outside of Mexico from December 1 to 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The analysis excludes transactions related to Visa Direct, and the growth percentages reflect the number of transactions in both US dollars and local currency.

These results are part of the collaboration agreement signed between the Ministry of Tourism and Visa on June 18, 2025, which aims to strengthen the national tourism strategy by using aggregated data on international tourist spending and promoting the adoption of digital payments in the tourism sector to improve the experience of both domestic and international visitors. This voluntary, non-profit alliance represents a public-private partnership model designed to strengthen tourism and economic development in Mexico.

Source: SECTUR.