The city of Tulum continues to experience a deep recession caused by the drastic decrease in foreign visitors in recent months. The decline in tourism has led to the closure of iconic businesses or changes in their hours due to the lack of customers.
October became the most difficult month in many years for businesses of all kinds, from established companies to small startups. A well-known seafood restaurant ceased operations; a popular barbacoa taco stand also closed, and even the iconic sugarcane juice stand, Batey, changed its service model.
In recent months, commercial activity has plummeted, a situation difficult to sustain given the extremely high cost of operating in the region. Residents and business owners are asking for economic relief to bring public attention back to this destination, which is essential for the livelihoods of thousands of families.
What was once a symbol of prosperity and real estate development now presents a desolate landscape. The bustling construction activity that characterized Tulum has come to an end. “You no longer hear hammers, the roar of heavy machinery, or the rumble of cranes,” describe residents of Tulum, who warn of a genuine crisis in the sector. Multiple infrastructure projects in the area are completely paralyzed.
Even the substantial federal investments intended to boost the region—20 billion pesos (approximately US$1 billion) for a new airport and 3 billion pesos (US$170 million) for Jaguar Park—are now perceived as projects with no real benefit.
Adding to the recession is a severe exodus of workers, who are leaving the area due to the lack of opportunities and the exorbitant cost of living. José Luis, a truck driver originally from Tamaulipas who arrived in Tulum 25 years ago, recounts how he prospered during the boom years thanks to construction. But now, he notes that work is scarce. He says the cost of living is so high that he has had to cook outdoors to save gas and control his consumption of even basic necessities like toilet paper.
Former Quintana Roo governor and former Secretary of Energy, Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, recently criticized Tulum’s growth, saying it lacked the planning seen in Cancún, which he described as rapid, chaotic, and without clear controls, resulting in environmental and social impacts.
Source: reportur
