Mexico Closes 2025 With $36.7 Billion Tourism Investment Pipeline

Mexico wrapped up 2025 with a tourism investment pipeline valued at US$36.7 billion, supported by roughly 700 projects across 30 states, underscoring the sector’s role as a pillar of economic growth and long-term development, Minister of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez said. According to the ministry, the portfolio expanded sharply over the past year. The number of projects increased 48% from the previous update released in September, while total planned investment rose 67%. Officials attributed the growth to closer coordination among state governments and the public, private and social sectors.

Rodríguez said the pipeline has become a central planning tool for the federal government, allowing authorities to track capital flows, identify bottlenecks and help advance projects with regional economic impact. The portfolio is aligned with Mexico’s General Tourism Law and the National Development Plan 2025–2030, which emphasize stronger federal coordination to boost tourism infrastructure and competitiveness nationwide.

“This portfolio provides a national snapshot of where investment is taking place, who is investing and where opportunities exist to strengthen infrastructure, services, and attractions,” Rodríguez said, adding that the strategy seeks to position tourism as a driver of inclusive growth.

Despite the broad geographic reach of the projects, investment remains concentrated in a handful of destinations. Nayarit accounts for 19% of the total planned investment, followed by Quintana Roo at 17%, Jalisco at 12%, Baja California Sur at 10%, and Guerrero and Nuevo Leon with 8% each, according to the latest four-month review. Rodríguez said the distribution reflects the broader development strategy promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, which aims to balance large-scale investment with social benefits and regional development. She also urged state governments to keep project information updated, stressing that accurate data are essential for long-term planning and sustained growth.

The investment push is being matched by major upgrades to existing tourism infrastructure, including Mexico City International Airport (AICM), the country’s busiest air hub. MBN reported that Grupo Aeroportuario Marina (GAM) said renovations at AICM reached 35% completion in 2025, with multiple passenger areas reopened across both terminals to improve mobility and operational efficiency.

In Terminal 1, remodeled international areas serving about 8 million passengers annually, roughly 18% of the airport’s total traffic, are back in operation. These include Last Waiting Room 20, several baggage claim belts for flights arriving from Central and South America, and the corridor linking immigration to baggage claim. GAM also reopened the “Golfo” Passenger Inspection Post, doubling inspection lines from four to eight and adding a dedicated lane for passengers with disabilities.

Terminal 2 has also seen significant progress, with areas housing nine of the airport’s 12 baggage claim belts now operational. Across both terminals, reopened zones feature upgrades to electrical and hydrosanitary systems, flooring, ceilings, signage, and renovated walls and columns. Additional areas, including portions of Terminal 1’s façades and a remodeled ambulatory area with a new fast-food zone, are scheduled to reopen in early 2026.

The airport renovations are part of a broader MX$8.5 billion ($460 million) modernization program ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Mexico City is set to host the opening match. The project prioritizes structural rehabilitation, drainage upgrades and reconfiguration of passenger areas to improve efficiency and reliability rather than expanding capacity.

Looking beyond infrastructure, Mexico has set ambitious goals for its global tourism standing. Rodríguez said the country aims to become the world’s fifth most visited destination by 2030, targeting a 40% increase in international tourist arrivals over the next five years, reported MBN. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization show that Mexico ranked sixth globally in 2024, with 45 million international visitors, a 7.4% increase from the previous year.

The minister emphasized that future growth will depend not only on visitor numbers but also on innovation, inclusivity and sustainability. She pointed to environmentally conscious and community-focused initiatives as central to the strategy, including the long-running “Pueblos Mágicos” program, which now includes 177 towns recognized for their cultural, historical or natural significance.

Demand for sustainable travel continues to rise, as well. Industry data shows that more than three-quarters of international travelers aim to travel more sustainably, while nearly all Mexican travelers consider sustainability in their plans. In response, several states have launched new initiatives, including plans in Nayarit to develop 33 eco-friendly destinations and a tourist tax in Baja California Sur to fund conservation and tourism services.

Together, the expanding investment pipeline, infrastructure upgrades and sustainability-focused policies reflect Mexico’s effort to strengthen its tourism sector as a competitive, inclusive and resilient engine of economic growth heading into the next decade.

Aeroméxico Adds Monterrey-Paris Nonstop Flights

In an effort to increase the number of tourists planning to visit Mexico this year, the country´s premier airline, Aeroméxico, announced it will launch a new nonstop route between Monterrey and Paris on April 13, 2026, expanding its long-haul network from northern Mexico and increasing capacity to its European operations. The service will operate three times per week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and will offer more than 1,500 seats per week, according to the airline, reported MBN. 

The Monterrey–Paris service will become the fourth international destination outside the Americas served from Monterrey International Airport and Aeroméxico’s second direct connection to Europe from the city, complementing the existing Monterrey–Madrid route. The airline said the new service forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen international connectivity from regional hubs.

“The Monterrey–Paris route marks a decisive step in Aeroméxico’s international expansion from Nuevo Leon,” said Pasquale Speranza, Aeroméxico’s Vice President of Sales for Mexico. “We thank the government of Nuevo Leon, OMA and the French authorities. With their support, we are confident this route will be successful from day one.”