Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is experiencing a surge in tourist arrivals in the last days of the year, with both national and international flights arriving at high occupancy. This influx of travelers is expected to help Puerto Vallarta surpass its record of over 6 million annual air passengers.
More than 300,000 passengers arrived at the airport in the first half of December, with a peak during the Christmas Eve and Christmas weekend. Another wave of tourists is expected to arrive in the last week of the year, bringing the total for the month to over 700,000.
This surge is part of a year-long trend of rising tourist numbers to Puerto Vallarta. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, which operates the airport, reports that passenger figures have exceeded those of the previous year every month in 2023. This is due to a combination of factors, including a rebound in tourist activity, the expansion of air routes and frequencies, and the consolidation of tourist mobility.
In November 2023, the airport received 591,400 passengers, of which 220,000 were nationals and 371,400 were foreigners. In December 2022, the total number of passengers was 669,900, making it a record year for the airport with a total of 6,208,700 passengers. This represents a 23% increase compared to 2019.
In the final quarter of the year, new routes from Puerto Vallarta to Calgary, Toronto in Canada, and Las Vegas in the United States were inaugurated, further enhancing connectivity.
The increase in tourist arrivals is good news for the Puerto Vallarta economy. The tourism industry is a major source of jobs and revenue for the city. The Pacific Airport Group is working to improve the passenger experience by offering more connections to international destinations and ensuring the quality of its services and facilities.
The surge in tourist arrivals to Puerto Vallarta is a sign of the city’s growing popularity as a tourist destination. With its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and vibrant culture, Puerto Vallarta is a perfect place to escape the winter cold and enjoy a relaxing vacation.