Teotihuacan visits drop 21% despite World Cup

The ancient city of Teotihuacan is experiencing a significant drop in visitor numbers, with June seeing a 21% decrease compared to the previous year. The archaeological site, known as the City of the Gods, welcomed 94,000 visitors last month, marking the lowest figure since 2021.

This decline comes despite the ongoing World Cup, which was expected to boost tourism. Armando Bojórquez, president of the Association for Culture and Tourism in Latin America (Actual), cited multiple reasons for the slump. He noted that Mexican visitors are distracted by the World Cup and are spending cautiously due to inflation and employment concerns. Furthermore, fewer international tourists than anticipated have arrived in the country.

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Very little international tourism has arrived in our country for the World Cup, as out of the almost 6 million expected, only 12% to 15% arrived.

"Very little international tourism has arrived in our country for the World Cup, as out of the almost 6 million expected, only 12% to 15% arrived," Bojórquez stated in an interview. He also pointed to the lingering memory of the April 20th shooting incident, which left two dead and 13 foreigners injured, as a significant deterrent, despite increased security measures like the presence of the National Guard and access controls.

Data from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) shows a 24% reduction in Mexican visitors and a 12% decrease in foreign tourists. Humberto Molina, a tourism economy consultant, suggests a combination of factors, including a lack of promotional campaigns, is contributing to Teotihuacan's visitor loss. The site, once a major draw, now receives half the visitors it did in June 2019, having lost its top spot to Chichen Itza.

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Everything affects it, the memory of the shooting, although it is gradually fading, but insecurity is a serious problem. It is sad the little international tourism we have in this World Cup.