The president of the Playa del Carmen Small Hotels Association, Ofner Arjona, acknowledged that 2025 has been one of the most difficult years for the hotel sector, with occupancy levels barely reaching 25 to 30 percent during the low season, which has put the profitability and sustainability of many establishments at risk.
Arjona explained that although reservations for December and January show a slight upturn, rates remain at historically low levels, impeding a strong recovery.
“More than ten years ago, average rates were around $160 per night; today they barely reach $45 or $50,” he stated. This decline, coupled with the constant increase in taxes and operating costs, has left many small hotels on the brink of bankruptcy.
The sector representative emphasized that the destination’s tourism competitiveness depends not only on the influx of visitors, but also on efficient resource management and the strengthening of environmental policies, particularly in areas such as beach restoration and sargassum management.
In this regard, he proposed the creation of a permanent specialized committee, similar to the one for hurricanes, to annually monitor natural disasters and oversee the proper use of resources from the environmental sanitation tax, in order to guarantee long-term sustainable results.
Finally, Arjona called on municipal and state authorities to strengthen regulation and order in the destination, warning that the lack of control over informal commerce, irregular transportation, and harassment of tourists damages the image of Playa del Carmen. Carmen.
“We need to enforce the law firmly. Legality must be the foundation of tourism development if we want to maintain Playa del Carmen as an economic and social engine of the region,” she concluded.
Despite the difficult low season for tourism in Playa del Carmen, the National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services (CANACO-Servytur) reported that between 60 and 70 new businesses are opening each month.
Source: reportur
