Travel consultants have reported that tourists prefer other destinations due to the constant problems related to the conflict between taxi drivers and ride-sharing platforms.
Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and Tulum, traditionally at the top of favorite destinations, have been displaced by places like Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and the Yucatecan destinations of Progreso and Sisal. One of the main reasons behind this shift is the growing fear among national travelers of becoming victims of conflicts or aggressions, especially those related to local taxi drivers.
Travel consultants like Mex-Travel and Go-Vacation stated in their latest report that tourists prefer other destinations due to the constant problems related to the conflict between taxi drivers and ride-sharing platforms, in addition to the prevailing insecurity in these destinations.
The annual survey by the Secretariat of Tourism of Quintana Roo (Sedetur) confirms this concern, highlighting that transportation is one of the aspects that generates the most dissatisfaction, with 19% of respondents rating it as poor.
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Besides security, costs are affecting the choice of destinations. 35% of respondents consider the prices of All-Inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya to be excessive, leading many to opt for more economical options.
On average, travelers report spending up to 60% more on a trip to Quintana Roo compared to destinations that have gained popularity in recent months.
These results coincide with the low occupancy rates experienced by the beaches of Quintana Roo in recent weeks.
Despite claims by the head of Sedetur that the state receives more visitors than in previous years, the increase in accommodation offerings has resulted in a decrease in the percentage of occupied beds.
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Recently, the transportation situation in the region has generated tensions, evidenced by protests from taxi drivers and tourist transporters in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Members of the “Tiburones del Caribe” union, among other issues, protested to pressure for the release of their general secretary, Eleazar Sagrero, who was arrested for qualified homicide and attempted homicide.
These groups blocked the main access roads to Cancún International Airport in an attempt to curb competition from Uber and other digital platforms, adding an additional level of concern for potential tourists.
The combination of security concerns and high costs seems to be redefining the tourism landscape in the Mexican Caribbean, leaving Quintana Roo in a less favorable position in the competitive national tourism market.
Source: Por Esto
