According to multiple travel advisors, Mexico is likely to be a high-demand destination in 2024. In fact, some predict that sales in the new year will likely surpass last year’s.
“We expect Mexico sales to grow further in 2024 and are likely to continue to grow in the near future,” said Justin Smith, president of The Evolved Traveler, a unit of Ensemble Travel in Beverly Hills, Calif. “This is due to a variety of factors, from disruptions in other parts of the world, economic factors, geographic proximity to U.S. consumers and the desire for experiences that range from relaxing on beautiful beaches to gentle adventures to cultural immersion.”
Jenny Jensen, owner of Montera Travel, a Travel Expert affiliate in Boise, Idaho, also reported strong sales in Mexico in the new year.
“I see increased travel to Mexico in 2024 compared to 2022 and 2023,” she said. “A lot of my clients wanted to go back to Europe and do a cruise after COVID-19, but now more of them want somewhere closer to home, especially Mexico with direct flights to the West Coast. It’s easy with all-inclusive accommodations that are close to home.”
Many of my clients had hoped to return to Europe and take a cruise after the COVID-19 outbreak, but now it seems more clients are wanting somewhere closer to home.
Global inflation is also helping to boost Mexico’s popularity, according to Fabian Lebrija, president of business and luxury travel at Travel World International Group, a Coronado, California-based travel agency.
“We expect Mexico to do well next year because prices in other parts of the world are increasing significantly,” he said, “and we see Mexico doing well in the off-season for short-term travel.”
Mexico-bound travelers are seeking different vacation experiences, and their tastes are evolving and diversifying. Here are the hottest trends for 2024, according to multiple advisors:
Mexico City is becoming increasingly popular for its vibrant urban life. Pictured here is the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Credit: 2024 DepartureLevel.com
Mexico’s best-selling travel destinations in 2024
It’s no surprise that sun and sand remain a big draw in Mexico — Montela Travel’s Jensen, for example, reports strong interest in Los Cabos, the Baja region and Puerto Vallarta, as these are the most accessible destinations for West Coast customers — but she notes that the opening of a new airport in Tulum has also boosted interest in Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
“Cancun airport is congested and busy, so we are happy to offer Tulum airport as an alternative,” she said. “Tulum airport also operates the Tren Maya train, which takes tourists to tourist sites and towns, which is very convenient for vacationers. Tulum will eventually become the airport of choice for travelers flying to the Yucatan Peninsula.”
Cancun airport is very busy and busy so it’s nice to be able to offer Tulum as an alternative.
Meanwhile, The Evolved Traveler’s Smith said his clients are looking for beach getaways, not just inland Mexico.
“In my recent experience, I see a lot of clients wanting the Riviera Maya, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro and Oaxaca,” he said. “In my opinion, the Riviera Maya is the new ‘it’ beach destination. In contrast, Mexico City offers vibrant urban living with a rich cultural scene. San Miguel and Queretaro are beautiful options, mixing historic colonial vibes with a vibrant arts scene. Oaxaca is a cultural gem that is coming into its own. It’s a great place for an indigenous cultural experience, and Oaxaca’s culinary scene is one of the best in Mexico.”
Related: Family Travel Diary: Oaxaca, Mexico
Caroline Labbe, a travel advisor with Labbe Travel, a Travel Expert affiliate in Park City, Utah, also reports high demand for destinations away from the beach.
“We’ve had couples go on four-day weekend trips to Mexico,” she says. “Mexico City is very popular, as is San Miguel de Allende. Food is the main focus of these trips.”
Travel World International Group’s Lebrija agreed with the diversification of demand, noting that more customers are traveling to more remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations in Mexico, which he sees as offering new opportunities for exploration relatively close to the United States.
“For example, Mérida, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende are popular destinations these days,” he says, “and Holbox and Bacalar in the Yucatan Peninsula are popular right now.”
The Yucatan Peninsula will be attracting tourists in 2024.
Credit: 2024 DepartureLevel.com
What types of travel will be popular in 2024?
Smith said as Mexico’s various destinations grow in popularity, so does demand for more diverse experiences.
“The U.S. market is starting to see Mexico as more than just a beach resort,” he says. “Customers are still interested in beach resorts, especially the new luxury all-inclusive resorts, but they also want to combine their beach vacation with other destinations and add a cultural element to their trips. We also think wellness and gourmet experiences are high on their list.”
The American market is beginning to see Mexico as more than just a beach resort.
Jensen is also noticing an increase in certain types of travel.
“Mexico is seeing an increase in expeditions and group tours, such as UnCruise Adventures and their Baja cruises,” she says. “Travellers are looking for more nature and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like swimming with whale sharks.”
Meanwhile, for Donna Greenspan, owner of Travel Quest, an affiliate of the Affluent Traveler Collection in Woodbury, New York, multigenerational travel is one of her big selling points for 2024, and group sizes are growing.
“People want to get together with the whole family and spend quality time together without the stresses of life,” she says. “The demand for all-inclusives is on the rise, and more families are traveling together.”
