The Mexican city of Cancún is experiencing a surge in investment in vacation rental housing projects, driven by foreign investors seeking to capitalize on platforms like Airbnb. The boom has been fueled by economic uncertainty in the United States, following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.
Marisol Becerra, regional partner at 4S Real Estate, notes that many investors are looking for alternative options due to market complexities. “These tourist destinations have become a mechanism for obtaining returns, as rental income through platforms like Airbnb has created new opportunities,” she said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.
Becerra highlights Cancún and Los Cabos as the best-positioned markets for tourism projects, citing high occupancy levels and rates that generate significant returns. In Cancún alone, there are 86 vertical housing projects under construction and over 2,400 units available in inventory. If the current sales rate continues, this inventory will be depleted in just over two years.
Airbnb has also played a crucial role in capturing Lodging Tax (ISH) revenue in Quintana Roo, with over one billion pesos (approximately $50 million USD) paid on behalf of hosts operating within the platform from 2017 to 2024. This amount was delivered to the state’s Ministry of Finance and Planning.
As Cancún continues to attract foreign investment, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue or if other destinations in Mexico will follow suit.
Source: Reportur
