Mexico, Nov 8 (EFE) .- The head of the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, Enrique de la Madrid, stressed today that the tourism sector has grown in the last nine quarters at a higher rate to the rest of the Mexican economy.

"We have nine quarters where the tourism sector grows above the rest of the economy," De la Madrid said at a press conference in the capital.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Mexico in 2015 was 3.3% and in 2016 of 2.9%, periods in which tourism had a respective growth of 3.6 He added.

De la Madrid noted that during the first nine months of this year the three countries with the greatest tourist presence in Mexico were the United States, with 8 million visitors; Germany and the United Kingdom, and which expects to be in seventh place by the end of 2018.

De la Madrid commented that September was "a difficult month" in which "there were negative impacts" by earthquakes, but events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Day of the Dead Parade and some concerts "helped reposition the sector."

"We had to send the message to the world that Mexico is standing and is strong, "he explained.

The official said that the great prizes of the Formula 1 of motorsports of 2018 and 2019 are guaranteed and financed.

Entrepreneur Alejandro Soberón, president of the Interamerican Entertainment Corporation (CIE), said that Formula 1 in Mexico "should last many more years" because "It is helping in a solid way and has become a big window for the country."