Mexico’s capital city, abbreviated as CDMX, is the top travel destination for 2019, according to prestigious magazine National Geographic in an issue listing their recommendations for once-in-a-lifetime trips for 2019.
Mexican magic and architecture
Despite having 20 million residents and a somewhat chaotic traffic problem, no one can deny that CDMX is one of the American continent’s most important cultural and gastronomic destinations.
One of Mexico’s most interesting features is its mix of prehispanic, colonial, and modern architecture and rich gastronomic history.
Mexico City’s prehispanic buildings are still standing, colonial cathedrals remain firm, and marvels of the modern world, like the Soumaya Museum, fill this incredible, museum-filled metropolis with life, flavour, and colour.
This architecture is the reason why CDMX was named World Design Capital last year. It was the sixth city in the world to receive this honour and first on the American continent.
This year, the city’s amazing food culture has joined forces with its architecture to propel CDMX to the top of the list of great places to visit in 2019.
The number 1 destination for 2019
Why? Let us explain…
Quite apart from attractions such as the National Palace, the Museum of Fine Art, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Monument to the Revolution, Chapultepec Park, and the incredible Zocalo, there is something else about Mexico City that captivates us: corn tortillas.
The National Geographic article highlights an emerging trend around the tortilla in the Mexican capital. Tortillas accompany a good percentage of the country’s typical dishes – the most traditional use native varieties of corn and are a million miles from the highly processed tortillas you find around the world.
If you’re a fan of fine dining, Mexico City is the best location for a Mexican holiday as it’s home to two of the best restaurants in the world, Quintonil and Pujol, both of which offer Mexican gastronomy and, of course, the many flavours of Mexican corn.
Below you’ll find the full list of top destinations for 2019. Let’s hope they’ll be useful if you’re attempting to meet your travel-related resolutions for the year!
- The Peruvian Amazon
- Fanjungshan, China
- Dakar, Senegal
- Dordogne, France
- Canterbury, New Zealand
- Hoang Lien Son, Vietnam
- Greenland
- Oman
- Kansas City, USA
- French Polynesia
The Republic of Mexico and global tourism
Mexico, according to information provided by its government last year, rose from 15th to 6th in the league of countries by the number of foreign visitors received. These visitors generated 10 million direct and indirect jobs and 70 million airline passengers. Resulting foreign investment to the tune of more than $175 million went to various Mexican destinations.
Millions and millions of tourists
Last year, Mexico received 3.4 million international tourists, 379,000 more than in 2017. These figures account for a year-on-year increase of 12.7%.
In 2019, Mexico City intends to increase visitor numbers by at least 10%. Last year, the city registered more than 13.5 million hotel guests. In other words, more than the 44 million international tourists registered, with an increase in volume of 5.8% when compared to 2018.
The planned growth will require an investment of $23.263 million, a 4.3% increase on the previous year.
Visitor plans in CDMX this year
The Department of Culture intends to host seven festivals and eight celebrations this year, including the Festival of Free Women, Dialogue with Science, All Theatre, Festival of Dance, and Mestizo Musical Rhythms, as well as Spring Night, which is to be brought back on the agenda in 2019 and celebrated in conjunction with Paris’ White Night.
The city will also celebrate other occasions, such as Earth Celebration, Union and Diversity, the Festival of Cinema and Documentary, the International Book Fair and The City that Reads, Day of the Dead, the City and Indigenous Cultures Carnaval, and more surprises.
