TIAO calls on the government to relax visa rules for Mexican tourists

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, (TIAO), is calling on the federal Government to mitigate the immediate financial impacts of recent visa requirementChanges for Mexican citizens traveling to Canada

A visitor visa is required for all travel by car, bus or train to Canada.

To be eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), Mexican nationals must have held a Canadian Visa in the last 10 years, or a valid U.S. Non-immigrant Visa, travel by air with a Mexican passport valid, and come to Canada on a short stay (up to 6 months). These changes are expected to cause significant disruptions in the Mexican visitor markets and for the tourism operators who rely upon their business.

Mexico is one of Ontario’s top five international markets, accounting for $236 million in visitor spending and 230,600 visits annually. Visitors to Ontario spend an average of 16 days in the province. The resulting spending on accommodations, restaurants and attractions, as well as retail, generates revenue for many destinations and significant tax dollars for the provincial and federal governments.

As other international markets continue to recover, Mexico is currently Ontario’s top-performing visitor market. Mexican visitors, such as motor coaches and tour operators, represent 24 per cent for their total charter revenue from March to Dec 2024.

The financial impact of tourism

The visa requirement changes are already having an immediate financial impact on tourism businesses—notably tour operators, as many visitors with pre-booked travel in the next 30 to 60 days may be unable to obtain the required visa in time.

Visa requirement changes have caused financial hardships to many tourism businesses, as they are now faced with cancellation fees and loss.

“The negative financial impact of the visa requirement changes comes at a time when tourism businesses are still recovering,”Andrew Siegwart is the president and CEO of TIAO. “As tourism operators continue to shoulder the burden of debt repayments, labour shortages, inflation, and rising commercial costs, we need policy measures that make it easier—not more difficult—for visitors to come to Canada.”

TIAO, Motor Coach Canada (MCC), the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA), and industry partners are urging the federal government to implement an expedited visa processing time for those with pre-booked (i.e., prior to the announcement) departures to Canada.

They also urge the federal government to take future measures that will expedite visa processing in key international visitor markets to promote visitor economic growth.

“With the recent international student cap and now the visa requirement for Mexican visitors, we are concerned about what appears to be a hardening of Canada’s borders. Given that tourism economic growth is dependent upon leveraging global talent and cultivating more repeat international visitation, we are concerned about the implications for the future of Ontario’s visitor economy,” Siegwart said. “I urge our federal partners to consult with TIAO and our industry partners on any future measures that might impact Ontario’s tourism industry. We are here to provide solutions.”

Visit TIAO’s Website to learn more about TIAO’s ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of Ontario’s tourism industry.