Mexico Tourism Officials React to Summer Occupancy Rates and New US Travel Advisory
Mexico's Quintana Roo Tourism Officials Respond to Summer Occupancy Rates & New U.S. Travel Advisory
In the wake of a sluggish summer, tourism officials in Quintana Roo aim to draw more international visitors.
Occupancy Rates Lower than Expected
According to Jesús Almaguer, President of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, many hotels experienced underwhelming occupancy rates, hovering around 60%.
Factors contributing to this decline include Tulum protests leading to cancellations and ongoing disturbances from power outages and construction of the Maya Train.
Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra suggested that despite these challenges, occupancy reached 70%, noting that new hotels and Airbnb units this year would inflate the figure to over 90% if excluded.
Concerns with U.S. Travel Advisory
The U.S. Department of State has issued a new travel advisory, warning that Quintana Roo could face criminal activity at any time, including in tourist hotspots.
The advisory encourages "increased caution" in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.
Consul General Justen A. Thomas reassured that Quintana Roo remains a safe destination for over 12 million Americans annually, emphasizing efforts to improve security.
Travel advisor Tammy Levent shared her unsettling experience at Cancun International Airport, emphasizing potential impacts on the region’s tourism, following her unjust detention related to a little-known Mexican law.
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