The small hotel industry in Playa del Carmen is facing a crisis due to low occupancy rates, which have dropped significantly compared to previous years.
According to Offner Arjona, president of the Playa del Carmen Small Hotels Association, occupancy at small hotels has plummeted to just 33%, with summer reservations not exceeding 40%. This decline in bookings is attributed to the ongoing sargassum problem, despite efforts by hoteliers to offer alternative experiences and forge alliances with service providers.
The situation has generated uncertainty for the summer season, according to Noticaribe. Small hoteliers are now calling for stronger tourism promotion and redoubled efforts to contain the macroalgae, which has become a constant threat to tourism.
Meanwhile, Adán Toledo Lucero, president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services (Canaco-Servytur) of Playa del Carmen, had previously expressed optimism about the summer season, citing a surge in tourist arrivals. However, he urged tour package sellers to include visits to cenotes and archaeological sites, such as Cobá, Chichén Itzá, and Tulum.
Toledo Lucero noted that when sargassum arrives, tourists tend to opt for alternative activities, such as visiting ruins, cenotes, or parks like Xel-Há, Xcaret. The current situation highlights the need for effective measures to mitigate the impact of sargassum on tourism in Playa del Carmen.
Source: Reportur
