The hotel sector in Quintana Roo has already begun to see a slight increase in summer reservations; however, they may not reach the figures that were initially projected due to the World Cup, a consequence of various factors that could affect travel intentions.
“We don’t know yet because the domestic market, as we know, is always more last-minute, so it’s still too early for the domestic market. I think we’ll need about another month, around the end of May, to get a better sense of how things are going with the domestic market,” estimated Toni Chaves, president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association and vice president of Inverotel.
Compared to last year, he noted, reservations are slightly lower, around 15 percent, facing a complex scenario where the sector’s resilience is being tested by economic factors and global events that are reshaping visitor flow.
He indicated that the summer season is showing warning signs that require a more aggressive promotional strategy, especially regarding the behavior of local travelers. The combination of high operating costs and changes in booking dynamics necessitates close monitoring of the domestic market and international variables.
“This decline (in the domestic market) projected in the initial forecasts is attributed to various factors that directly affect the purchasing power of Mexican families. In addition to competition for entertainment spending, constant fluctuations in fuel prices and the peso-dollar exchange rate influence the competitiveness of domestic destinations,” he stated.
Specifically regarding the summer season and the arrival of the World Cup, he said it is perceived as a significant strategic opportunity for the state of Quintana Roo, due to the Cancun International Airport, which will play a fundamental logistical role, allowing thousands of international fans to use the Riviera Maya as their base of operations.
However, the balance between the expected growth from the World Cup and the potential drop in traditional tourists who prefer to avoid crowds is still a topic of debate regarding the estimated figures.
“We’re concerned about the domestic market for July and August, but we’re concerned because of the high cost of domestic airfare. Mexico is a country where airfare is among the most expensive in the world; flying domestically here is extremely expensive, and now with the rise in oil prices, airlines have already announced they will increase prices even further,” he lamented.
Adding to this scenario of rising airfare costs is the recent increase in toll highway rates, which also affects road tourism, a sector that traditionally sustains the region during July and August.
Source: lajornadamaya
