Foreign investment in tourism favors furnished homes; World Cup boosted financing

Furnished apartments and houses offering hotel-like services emerged as the top draw for foreign investors in Mexico's tourism sector during the first quarter of 2026. This segment captured over 70% of the total foreign capital flowing into tourism, amounting to $445 million. The surge in investment was partly attributed to the anticipation of the FIFA World Cup.

Following closely, the administration of airports and heliports attracted nearly $102 million in foreign direct investment (FDI). Hotels with integrated services secured the third-largest share, drawing approximately $65 million. Smaller investments, around $5 million, were directed towards air transport, travel agencies, and other related economic activities.

Cumulatively, the tourism sector attracted $617 million in FDI during the first three months of 2026. While this figure represents one of the lower totals since 2023, key players like Meliá Hotels International, RIU Hotels, and Marriott International are actively investing in the country, particularly in Quintana Roo. Hyatt is also finalizing expansion projects for its Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and Grand Hyatt Los Cabos Resort.

Despite the overall investment, certain sub-sectors within tourism did not attract foreign capital. These included regular air transport on national airlines, hotels without integrated services, and water and land-based tourist transport. Notably, the organization of excursions and travel packages saw a negative investment balance of $100,000. The majority of tourism projects are concentrated in Quintana Roo, followed by Nayarit, Jalisco, and Baja California Sur.