An investment of 
8.63 billion dollars to improve the Mexico tourism sector was announced by President Enrique Peña Nieto. This is the third most important income of the Mexican economy that has suffered declines in revenue since the crisis of 2009, the H1N1 influenza in the same year, and a negative public image of the country regarding violence.
The investment will come from the National Tourist Business Council (CNET), a body composed of 15 chambers and national associations from all branches of the industry, of which they represent 96% of the tourist activity in the country.
The amount will be used in carrying out 176 projects such as hotels, timeshares, airport infrastructure, restaurants, theme parks, golf courses, marinas, clinics and retirement communities.
The investment will extend to 17 states with 27 tourist destinations, 11 are cities and 16 are beach related. According to Peña Nieto, this investment will result in 28,097 direct jobs and 77,619 indirect jobs in those 17 states.
In 2012, Mexico produced 23 million foreign tourist visits and an economic impact of 12.6 billion dollars.
Besides, from January to June 2013, Mexico received an increase of 8.1% by air over the same period last year, also in the first half of 2013, the foreign exchange earnings from international visitors totaled 7.1 billion dollars, which is an increase of 7.2% over the same period in the previous year.
Pena Nieto explained that the announced investment will be applied in better environments, he appreciated the confidence of the business sector and he expressed his commitment to Mexico to be “once again a world tourism power.”
He also said “The tourism industry generates a balanced sustainable development; it generates jobs especially for young people and women. It is also a safe route to the prosperous Mexico we have set as a national goal.”
