Mexico once again established itself as one of the region’s leading tourism engines, recording a 7% increase in international arrivals during the first three months of 2026. This performance reflects the country’s strong and diverse tourism portfolio, which combines world-renowned beach destinations, cultural heritage, gastronomy, and business travel, supported by extensive air connectivity with major international source markets. Mexico’s outlook is also expected to benefit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host alongside the United States and Canada.
Central America continued to distinguish itself through remarkable tourism momentum. Among all destinations analyzed, El Salvador ranked among the world’s top-performing tourism markets after posting an impressive 43% increase in international arrivals during the first quarter. The country ranked behind only Paraguay and New Caledonia among the fastest-growing destinations worldwide, reinforcing its growing appeal as an emerging tourism destination with a distinctive and increasingly competitive travel offering.
Brazil also delivered strong results, particularly in terms of international tourism receipts. The country reported a 12% increase in tourism revenues during the first quarter, placing it among the world’s best-performing destinations in this category. The growth reflects both higher visitor spending and Brazil’s continued consolidation as one of South America’s leading tourism economies. At the same time, Brazil’s domestic aviation market maintained positive momentum, further strengthening the country’s tourism industry and supporting continued expansion.
The report also highlights the importance of several other Latin American destinations within the international tourism landscape. Countries such as Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic continue to play a significant role in the region’s tourism development by investing in infrastructure, diversifying their tourism products, and promoting cultural, natural, and gastronomic experiences. While this report does not provide individual performance figures for each of these destinations, they remain integral contributors to Latin America’s overall tourism recovery during the opening months of 2026.
Globally, international tourism expanded by 2% during the first quarter of 2026, reaching an estimated 307 million international travelers, approximately six million more than during the same period a year earlier. Europe and Africa led global growth with 4% increases, while Asia and the Pacific recorded 3% growth. Tourism performance during March was affected by the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted air connectivity, increased operating costs, and slowed the pace of international travel growth worldwide.
Looking ahead, prospects for the remainder of the year remain cautiously optimistic despite continuing challenges related to rising transportation costs, energy price volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty. Nevertheless, Latin America enters the coming months with favorable expectations, supported by resilient international demand and the strengthening competitiveness of destinations across the region. The first-quarter results reaffirm Latin America’s expanding role in the global tourism recovery and demonstrate its growing ability to attract international travelers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
