Mexico has recorded the largest number of outbound tourists among all MINT nations (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) and is catching up fast with some of the biggest BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). 
This is according to a new report on ‘Market Insights: MINT Tourism’ released by Timetric, the online data, analysis and advisory services provider.
With 15,9 million departures in 2013, Mexico has the highest number of international flight departures among the MINT nations. It is the global leader in terms of GDP per capita growth and the 14th largest economy compared with other MINT countries. Turkey had eight million outbound tourists in 2013, Indonesia had 7,9m and Nigeria’s outbound tourism was only 1,4m. Although Mexico has not reached numbers close to those recorded by China, it has already beaten Brazil, which had 8,6m outbound tourists, and almost draws even with India, which had 16m.

Arnie van Groesen, analyst at Timetric, said: “Considering that India’s population is ten times larger than Mexico’s, the fact that both countries record almost the same number of departures is quite astonishing. Mexico is definitely a tourism giant on the rise.”
At the moment, approximately 90% of outbound trips from Mexico go to the US, where many Mexicans have friends and family. However, Mexico is not included in the US Visa Waiver Program, which makes it difficult for Mexicans to enter the country. This promises great potential for tourism destinations outside the US, such as European countries, where Mexicans can travel visa free. 

David Frost, SATSA CEO, said that last year SA had received only 3 477 Mexican arrivals. Mexican nationals are required to apply for visas to visit South Africa but are exempt from visa fees. 
France and Spain were the second- and third-most-popular destinations for Mexicans, with 174 000 and 115 000 outbound trips in 2013 respectively, the report showed. 
Van Groesen said: “Unfortunately, Mexico is poorly connected to the rest of the world. More non-US international connections will need to be created to attract the growing outbound Mexican market and reduce the industry’s dependence on the US.
“Most Central American countries are too similar to Mexico to be serious competitors, although cheap holiday packages might be an option. European tourism boards, on the other hand, could succeed in attracting more Mexican tourists by devoting more of their budget to promoting their country in the Mexican media,” he said.