Visitor growth and hotel spending
If achieved, the forecast would put the capital about 4.7 million visitors above its 2025 total and 7.9 million above 2024, a two-year increase of 13.6%. The city Tourism Ministry says the projected total is also approximately twice the number of arrivals recorded a decade earlier.
Hotel guests spent nearly 120 billion Mexican pesos from January through September 2026, up 6% from the corresponding period in 2025. Lodging tax receipts reached approximately 840 million pesos over those nine months, a 15.9% annual increase. Authorities forecast full-year receipts of 1.159 billion to 1.210 billion pesos.
Official figures put tourism's contribution at 10.7% of Mexico City's gross domestic product and 18.7% of Mexico's national tourism GDP. The capital has about 863 hotels, while tourism-related activities support more than 800,000 jobs.
World Cup visitors and traveling concert audiences
As a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico City received 4.4 million travelers from 84 countries during the tournament, Tourism Minister Alejandra Frausto told the city Congress in November. According to La Crónica de Hoy's account of her report, the tournament generated an estimated economic impact of 66 billion pesos, and free activities across the capital drew 12.5 million people.
Concert audiences also included substantial numbers of travelers. Across three Mexico City concerts, The Weeknd attracted fans from 74 countries; AC/DC's three performances drew attendees from 56 countries. Ticketmaster data cited by El Sol de México and reported by Mexico News Daily showed that 43% of The Weeknd's audience and 41% of AC/DC's traveled from elsewhere in Mexico.
Formula 1 and Day of the Dead fill hotels
The overlap of Formula 1 and Day of the Dead celebrations brought average hotel occupancy to 92% from October 30 through November 1, 2026, with some areas fully booked. Authorities counted approximately 550,600 tourists and visitors during that period. The city government also reported that tourist arrivals over the weekend exceeded half a million, up 22% from the same period in 2025.
The Grand Prix recorded more than 405,000 attendances over three days. Mayor Clara Brugada, citing official figures, said the turnout ranked Mexico City fourth among Formula 1 championship venues worldwide. Some 400 international media outlets received accreditation, and the race was broadcast in 200 countries.
Before the event, the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism, or Canaco CDMX, forecast 22.228 billion pesos in local economic activity, equivalent to about US$1.205 billion. That projection was roughly 6.5% higher than its 2025 estimate of 20.892 billion pesos. Expected ticket sales accounted for about 8.42 billion pesos.
In a separate report on November 3, Brugada put the combined economic impact of Formula 1 and Day of the Dead activities at 36 billion pesos over ten days, with close to 8 million people attending. According to El Heraldo de México, she attributed 21 billion pesos to Formula 1 and more than 15 billion pesos to tourism lodging, gastronomy, offerings and other cultural activities.
Celebrations across the capital
The Day of the Dead program extended from the historic Zócalo to traditional experiences in Xochimilco and San Andrés Mixquic. The main parade registered approximately 1.6 million attendances, including residents.
Another attraction was the monumental Catrina installed in the Zócalo as a tribute to artist José Guadalupe Posada. At more than 33 meters tall, the figure earned a Guinness World Record and attracted 1.6 million visitors in four days. Authorities extended its display through November 11, 2026.
Neighborhood tourism and industry development
Beyond major events, authorities are promoting markets, cultural sites, traditional food and local experiences throughout all 16 boroughs. Areas highlighted include Azcapotzalco, Garibaldi, Milpa Alta and Tlalpan. The capital's approximately 65,000 restaurants and food establishments are also part of its visitor offering.
Mexico City's presence at Tianguis Turístico México 2026 included 70 exhibitors and 2,830 meetings with domestic and international tourism buyers. More than 3,500 people visited its pavilion.
The city government reported that, during the current administration's second year, 140,000 people received free training and 1,418 tourism businesses were certified.
For residents, the Colibrí Viajero initiative offers access to local cultural and recreational destinations through 64 routes spanning all 16 boroughs. The program has reported 981,101 beneficiaries.
