PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mexico registers a record number of Canadian tourists in 2008

Montreal, February 1247, 2009

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) is pleased to announce that the number of Canadian tourists to Mexico increased by 20.1 % in 2008. These results, provided by The Bank of Mexico, also describe the composition of international tourists composition arriving into Mexico by plane.

Canadian tourists summed up totalled to a record number of 1,144,650 visitors to Mexico, an increase of 191,840 travellers compared to over the previous last year’s data. This result places situates the number of Canadian visitors to Mexico in second place compared to after those from the United States. Indeed,  Tthe total number of Americans going through 21 Mexican airports reached 9,475,163 visitors, a 4.2% increase over compared torecent the last years.

According to Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, Secretary of the Mexican Federal of Tourism, the increase is is partly due related to efforts by the the government’s efforts and strong private investments in the tourism market, which enabled significant improvements in allowing a high infrastructures’  and accommodations’ improvement.

Another factor is the MTB’s promotional efforts made by the MTB to encourage the creation of new air aerial routes between Canada and Mexico  in order to make it easier to facilitate access to non- traditional cities and beaches.

Furthermore, private funding generated $4.64 billion in revenue in 2008, representing a 34% increase over recent years. .

Furthermore, these destinations generated a $4.64 billion dollars in income revenue in 2008, representing an increase of 34 % increase compared to the last over recent years.

CCanadian tourists come back from Mexico relaxed, having enjoyed eye-opening  and with an unbelievable culinary and cultural experiences. They go to Mexico come looking for high-quality servicesbeaches and impressive archaeological sites; they leave with  and their expectations are completely fulfilled, along with  accompanied by a sense of well- being and discovery.  This destination also attracts Canadians because of Mexico’s 29 unique historic sites, listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, represent another strong attraction for Canadians. In recent years, the Mexican government has succeeded in restoring and protecting the country’sis tremendous heritage to create an incomparable touristic feature attractions.

Financially speakingConcerning the financial aspect, the current actual value of the Canadian dollar compared to that of the Mexican peso is now at its highest best since 1993. All Every Canadian visitors going to Mexico will enjoy  excellent value for their money, especially compared to  in comparison with previous years. This is the best time to visit Mexico.

Mexico knows how to makes the most of the its incredible vast number of activities it offers and has how to transformed its tourist sector into a very profitable asset. The 20.1 % increase in Canadian tourism is the strongest best proof that Mexico is , will be able to adapt to today’s world economy.

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ABOUT THE MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations nationally and internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

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