“Participating in the Tourist Market is an opportunity for the world to learn about the richness of our culture and traditions, and for the benefits to translate into social justice for the people of Mérida,” she declared.
Regarding the 2025 Tourist Market, held in Baja California, Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada reaffirmed that the Yucatecan capital continues to consolidate itself as one of the most important tourist destinations in the country and that this growth translates into direct benefits for its citizens.
“We are proud that Mérida is the city with the fastest growth in tourism in Mexico, and this is reflected in the quality of life of our families. Every visitor who comes to our city not only enjoys its beauty and traditions, but also creates jobs, boosts the local economy, and strengthens our social fabric,” said Cecilia Patrón.
“The growth in connectivity allows us to continue positioning Mérida as a preferred destination, with a tourism offering that combines history, culture, nature, and modernity,” she stated.
The mayor highlighted that in 2024, Mérida welcomed more than 3.7 million passengers at its international airport, and in the first months of 2025, more than 599,000 passengers arrived, figures that show an increase compared to the same period last year.
During her participation in the Tianguis (Tianguis), Cecilia Patrón spoke with various stakeholders in the tourism and business sectors and met with tour operators and wholesalers.
She highlighted the importance of participating in this type of event, which showcases the richness of our culture and traditions so that the economic impact of visits translates into social justice for the people of Mérida.
So far in 2025, Mérida has positioned itself as one of the cities with the greatest growth in tourism, welcoming more than 337,000 overnight visitors between January and February.
In February alone, more than 179,000 tourists arrived, consolidating Mérida’s seventh place in the nation in annual growth. This fact also led Mérida to lead the country in terms of average stay growth, because those who come to Mérida want to stay a little longer.
In this regard, the head of the City Council’s Tourism Unit, Armando Casares Espinosa, indicated that this high demand for services translates into economic development.
The tourism boom has created more jobs, contributing to the local economy for Mérida families, and placing Mérida in fourth place in this area, with more than 76,000 people employed in restaurants and lodging services.
Currently, the Yucatecan capital ranks fourth in terms of employment in tourism, with 11.8 percent of the population working in restaurants and lodging. It also ranks fifth in terms of annual growth in tourism employment, with 18.7 percent.
TYT Newsroom
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