Tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean are facing a mixed bag of results as international tourist arrivals decline in the first months of 2025, according to data from the National Tourism Association of Cancún (STARC) at the Universidad Anáhuac Cancún.
While the summer season is expected to be a key period for testing traveler behavior, STARC Director Francisco Madrid expressed concern over the decline in international tourism, particularly from the United States. “There is a contraction in international travelers from the United States; that’s where we’re seeing this decline,” Madrid noted.
On the other hand, Mexico’s Caribbean coast is experiencing an unprecedented rise in tourist arrivals from Canada, particularly from Toronto and Montreal. However, Madrid emphasized that the challenge lies in the US market, which was Cancún’s main source of international tourism.
The numbers paint a concerning picture: in the first quarter of 2025, there was a 9.1% decrease at the Cancún airport, with 373,792 fewer international passengers compared to 2024. Hotel occupancy in the Riviera Maya during Holy Week was also lower than expected, dropping from 90% in 2024 to 83%.
The president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association (AHCPMIM), Rodrigo de la Peña, attributed the low occupancy during Holy Week to three main factors: the significant increase in rooms in the northern region, particularly in Cancún and Costa Mujeres; the new Tulum airport, which has drawn tourists away from Cancún; and a lack of aircraft, leading to fewer flights.
“The number of rooms has grown significantly, and so has the capacity of the airport,” de la Peña explained. “We’re conducting a new analysis to better understand the situation.”
Madrid echoed these concerns, stating that the summer season will be crucial in determining traveler behavior and testing the resilience of Cancún’s tourist industry. “Summer will be a key period, where we will have to pay close attention to market developments,” he said.
As the Mexican Caribbean faces an uncertain future, one thing is clear: Cancún must adapt to changing market trends and find new ways to attract tourists from its traditional markets, particularly the US.
Source: Reportur
