The city of Playa del Carmen is poised to take center stage in Mexico’s cultural tourism scene as Municipal President Estefanía Mercado launches an ambitious initiative to make it the country’s epicenter of cultural tourism.
Through a collaborative effort with the Municipal Institute of Culture and the Arts, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment Attraction, Mercado has inaugurated the “Mexico in Playa del Carmen” festival, featuring Querétaro as the guest municipality. The festival aims to foster cultural exchange between communities by showcasing art and music from across Mexico.
One of the festival’s key objectives is to promote cultural interaction between residents of Playa del Carmen and visitors from other parts of the country. To achieve this, a diverse range of activities has been planned, including exhibitions, concerts, plays, and multidisciplinary performances.
The “Collective of Querétaro Artists” exhibition, for instance, features works by 22 local artists, while the festival’s cultural program includes symphonic and traditional music concerts, as well as contemporary circus troupes and storytellers. A craft showcase on the esplanade is also part of the event.
However, the massive sargassum washout that has affected Playa del Carmen’s beaches poses a challenge to the festival’s beach activities. To mitigate this issue, local tourism service providers have offered alternative options for travelers, according to Nicanor Reyes, lounge chair manager at La Tarraya Beach Club.
Reyes estimates that up to 60% of operations are expected to rebound in the coming days but acknowledges that tourists may be deterred from staying on the beaches due to the presence of macroalgae. Despite this setback, the festival is set to continue until May 31, offering a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and showcasing Mexico’s rich artistic heritage.
As Playa del Carmen strives to become Mexico’s cultural tourism hub, it remains to be seen whether the city can overcome the challenges posed by sargassum and successfully host the “Mexico in Playa del Carmen” festival.
Source: Reportur
