Despite concerns over sargassum, hotel reservations are on the rise in Quintana Roo, with occupancy expected to reach 80% this summer. According to Rodrigo de la Peña Segura, president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association, while some tourists have cancelled their bookings due to social media reports about the macroalgae, the impact has been minimal.
De la Peña Segura stated that some hotels have recorded a small number of cancellations, including Hard Rock, which saw between 10 and 20 cancellations in the last month, as well as Dreams Vista and Grand Oasis, which experienced 3 to 6 cancellations each. However, he emphasized that these numbers are relatively low.
The association has been working with the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) to counteract the negative impact of sargassum on tourism. De la Peña Segura said that campaigns highlighting the region’s attractions beyond its beaches have helped to mitigate the effects of social media reports about the macroalgae.
Reservations are doing well, with an expected occupancy rate of 80% this summer. However, hoteliers are concerned about a lack of seats due to aircraft maintenance, which remains a red flag.
Francisco Madrid Flores, director of the Center for Advanced Research in Sustainable Tourism (STARC) at Anáhuac University, noted that despite geopolitical issues, Mexico ranks sixth in the global tourism barometer and has experienced an overall 5.8% increase in global air traffic in the first months of this year compared to the previous year.
Madrid Flores also reported a 1.5% increase in formal employment in Quintana Roo in May of this year compared to 2024, with a total of 161,823 employees affiliated with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).
The top source markets for tourists to the Mexican Caribbean include the United States, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Colombia, Chile, and Spain. The total number of visitors reported a 6.3% increase in average spending.
However, Madrid Flores indicated that by the end of 2024, a 2.0 percent decrease in tourist arrivals to Mexico is expected due to a lack of institutional promotion. This highlights the importance of investing in the Mexico brand and promoting tourism beyond its beaches.
Source: Quintana Roo Hoy
