Faced with the cancellation of 10 percent of weddings scheduled in the northern part of the state due to the massive influx of sargassum seaweed, the tourism sector in southern Quintana Roo has launched a strategy to capture this market.
This strategy also aims to consolidate a new events corridor in the Chetumal-Bacalar region, according to José Mac-Liberty, promoter of the “Romance Route.”
This environmental phenomenon in destinations like Cancún and the Riviera Maya has led national and international couples to relocate their events to other states.
This situation affects a market that generates more than 100,000 ceremonies annually in the state.
Unlike the northern coast, Bacalar Lagoon and Chetumal Bay offer natural settings free of the seaweed 365 days a year.
This competitive advantage is the cornerstone of the “Romance Route,” a project that, since November 2025, has used a digital platform to connect international event organizers with local vendors.
“The goal is to make the Chetumal-Bacalar corridor the preferred destination for those seeking to avoid the effects of sargassum in the north and prevent the economic benefits from leaving the state,” Mac-Liberty stated.
The strategy not only aims to offer stunning scenery but also to integrate a luxury service infrastructure with its own distinct identity.
This plan, the interviewee explained, includes direct connections between wedding planners and local hoteliers, caterers, DJs, and transportation providers.
It also involves incorporating local artisans for decorations and wedding favors, as well as holding showcase banquets and model events to demonstrate the operational capacity of the southern region.
With this initiative, the aim is for the southern Mexican Caribbean to move beyond being seen merely as a refuge during environmental emergencies and establish itself as a destination with a strong cultural identity and the technical capacity to compete in the high-end wedding market.
Source: lucesdelsiglo
