The numbers dance, but the music sounds familiar
The Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, presented figures that paint a spectacular January 2026. More international visitors, more money coming in and a skyrocketing Chinese market. Sounds good on paper.
But we already know how this works. Each administration boasts its own records. The question is not whether the numbers went up, but why they went up now and what will happen tomorrow.
“Look at the increase in the Chinese market in the month of January, 15.7% more than our country. This increase is historic,” stressed Rodríguez Zamora.
Historical yes, but also convenient. A 15.7% jump in Chinese tourists just when good press is needed before global events. Coincidence or strategy?
Behind the toast to the sun
The figures say that 8.84 million international visitors arrived who did not stay overnight (an increase of 10%). They also talk about an economic impact of more than 3.4 billion dollars.
Other countries such as Colombia (+12%) and Canada (+9.7%) also contributed. American tourism, our eternal neighbor, remained stable. That in official language usually means no important changes.
The statement celebrates the Mayan Train (47% more international passengers) and more people in museums and archaeological sites. All wrapped up in the forecast that 2026 will be “a historic year” thanks to the World Cup.
Here’s the pattern: advertise past achievements to sell future promises. The January figures are real, but their presentation is pure pre-election political marketing.
Does anyone remember the historical years promised above? Collective memory is short, but journalistic archives are not.
The true test is not these isolated numbers, but the sustained trend after the World Cup lights go out. That’s where we’ll see if this growth is tourism or just theater.
