According to the U.S. Department of Commerce- sponsored Mexico Travel Trade Barometer, Mexico bookings to the United States joined the trend of declines registered from other countries in 2009. Mexico tour operators reported (as of February 26 – April 7, 2010) that 2009 bookings were down one to three percent, on average, compared to 2008. A strong majority, 92 percent of trade, reported that bookings decreased for the year.

First Quarter 2010 Bookings Projected to be Up
For the first quarter 2010, most Mexico tour operators (77 percent of the trade) projected that bookings to the United States would be higher. In contrast, just under a quarter (23 percent) of the trade projected bookings to be lower.

Second Quarter 2010 Bookings Continue to be Higher
Mexico bookings for the second quarter 2010 were also projected to be higher, on average, compared to last year. Similar to the first quarter, just over three quarters of the trade projected an increase in bookings. However, unlike the first quarter, none of the trade projected a decrease in bookings for the second quarter.

Travel Motivators and Deterrents
In the next six months, the top two factors rated as motivators for bookings to the United States were accommodation rates and the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar. The primary barrier for travel to the United States was reported to be concern for a pandemic/epidemic, closely followed by concern for natural disasters in the United States.

Competitive Destinations
Mexico tour operators projected travel within Central America as the top competitive destination, followed by travel to Europe and domestic travel within Mexico.

Actual Mexico Arrivals to the United States: Annual 2009 and Fourth Quarter 2009
Actual 2009 arrivals from Mexico totaled 13.2 million, decreasing three percent when compared to 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 arrivals from Mexico totaled 1.7 million, down three percent compared to fourth quarter 2008. In October 2009, Mexico arrivals totaled 469,000, up two percent when compared to October 2008. Visitation in November 2009 totaled 497,000, increasing two percent when compared to November 2008. In December 2009, arrivals from Mexico were 763,000, up five percent when compared to December 2008.