Los Cabos by the Numbers:  Tourism Statistics and Projections for 2021 – 2022 Continue Positive Upsurge

Statistics don’t always reveal a complete picture, but when you put enough of them together over a larger sample size they do tell a compelling story.

In this case, the story of a destination: Los Cabos.

Based on the latest statistics, for example, it is now quite clear that Los Cabos has achieved a nearly complete recovery of pre-pandemic tourism, in some cases even surpassing numbers from 2019. This despite the fact that tourism numbers for Mexico have been down overall.

And the best part is…there’s still a lot of room to grow. While U.S. tourists have returned to sunny Los Cabos in droves, Canadian tourists have been largely absent since early 2020 due to stricter travel regulations and reduced or suspended flights. However, that’s now changing as flights resume and regulations relax. Flights from Edmonton and Toronto to Los Cabos over the next six months are both expected to exceed 2019 levels.

Cruise ships have also been absent…at least until recently. After a lengthy suspension of service following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, cruise ships have now resumed visits to Los Cabos, opening up (or, if you prefer, reopening) another important tourism sector for the destination moving forward.

With this in mind, here are some of the most recent (and most interesting) statistics released by the Los Cabos Tourism Board…

National Travel Numbers for Mexico

• In Aug. 2021, 2.77 million international tourists arrived in the country (18% fewer than in Aug. 2019). 52% were inbound tourists.
• In Aug. 2021, the total number of inbound tourists decreased by 29% compared to the previous month.
• There is an 18% decrease in the total number of inbound tourists compared to Aug. 2019.
• 85% arrived by air, and 15% did so by land

Travel Numbers for Los Cabos

• In Aug. 2021, Los Cabos International Airport recorded the arrival of 136,654 international tourists, up 16.2% compared to Aug. 2019. American tourists represent 99.4% of the total.

Passenger Arrivals in Los Cabos

• In Sep. 2021, Los Cabos International Airport recorded a 30.3% (+47.3 thousand) increase in the total number of passengers arriving at the destination compared to Sep. 2019.
• Passengers on domestic flights (85.7 thousand) represent 42.1% of total arrivals. These increased by 19.4% (+13.9 thousand vs. Sep. 2019).
• Passengers on international flights (117.75 thousand) represent 57.9% of total arrivals. These increased by 39.6% (+33.4 thousand vs. Sep. 2019).

Domestic Air Connectivity to Los Cabos

• There are 721.6 thousand seats scheduled for the next 6 months, 42.6% more compared to the same period in 2019.
• However, when comparing the seats scheduled for the next 6 months against the 2020 schedule (pandemic), the volume of programmed seats is 47.6% higher.
• There are 31.7% more available seats expected for Oct. 2021 than those scheduled for Oct. 2019.
• Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana are the most relevant issuing markets, having 48%, 13%, and 20% of total available seats (for the next 6 months), followed by Monterrey (9%), Culiacan (7%), Leon (2%), and Hermosillo (1%).
• Seats from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Tijuana increased by 43%, 9.9%, and 176.5%, respectively (when compared against 2019).
• For the next 6 months, 51% of the available seats will be provided by Volaris, followed by Viva Aerobus with 33% and Aeromexico with 16%. Interjet has dropped to 0%.

International Air Connectivity to Los Cabos

• For the U.S., there are 1.37 million seats scheduled to Los Cabos in the next six months, which is 39.1% more seats compared to the same period in 2019.
• For Oct. 2021, the United States expects 55% more available seats than those scheduled for 2019.
• Los Angeles (+69.4%), Phoenix (+46%), Houston (+19.4%), Dallas-Fort Worth (+32.6%), Denver (+81.2%), and Seattle (+28.3%) had the most significant increase vs. 2019.
• However, when comparing the seats scheduled for the next 6 months against the 2020 schedule (pandemic), the volume of programmed seats is 40.5% higher.
• Los Angeles is the main issuing market in the U.S. (20% of the market), followed by Dallas-Fort Worth (11%), Houston (10%), and Phoenix (9%).
• American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines are the most relevant (91% as a whole).
• When comparing the seats scheduled for the next 6 months against the 2020 schedule (pandemic), the volume of programmed seats is 15.6% higher.

Yacht Activity in Los Cabos

• 42 yachts arrived at the Port of Cabo San Lucas in Sep. 2021. This represents an increase of 31.3% over the same period in 2019 but a 6.7% decrease compared to 2020.
• 71% were medium-sized vessels that measured between 50 and 80 feet in length. This vessel size proportion is the highest recorded since 2019.

Cruise Ship Activity in Los Cabos

• In Aug. 2021, cruises resumed operations in the port of Cabo San Lucas, which recorded the arrival of 1 vessel (Carnival Panorama) with 2,780 passengers.
• Since then, several major cruise ships have resumed regular service to Los Cabos, including Carnival Miracle and Carnival Panorama; Ruby Princess, Grand Princess and Majestic Princess (Princess Cruise Lines); Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Lines); Viking Orion (Viking Cruises); Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean); and MS Koningsdam (Holland America Line).
• Over the 38 days remaining in 2021, there are 16 cruise ship visits scheduled in Los Cabos.

Tourist Surveys for Los Cabos Visitors

• In Sep. 2021, 64% of tourists rated their experience in Los Cabos as better than expected.
• The number of tourists who visited restaurants increased by 77%.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Mexico Daily Post

Upcoming Events Calendar

November

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13

Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

Life Luxe Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Nov. 4 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Nov. 26 – 27

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Sabor a Cabo Rural – Dec. 5

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Taco Fest 2021 at Casa Dorada – Dec. 17

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January 2022

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

February 2022

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March 2022

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21