The Mexican Caribbean, known for its paradisiacal beaches and vibrant nightlife, faces a worrying outlook for the upcoming winter season. According to an analysis by the Center for Advanced Research in Sustainable Tourism at the Universidad Anáhuac Cancún, airlines that connect this region nationally and internationally have scheduled fewer airplane seats, which could significantly affect the influx of tourists.
The registry of seats scheduled for December reveals that 12,166 flights will be made from abroad to the Mexican Caribbean, representing a total of 2.2 million seats. This figure is 7.4% lower compared to the 2023 offer, which has generated concern among stakeholders in the tourism sector. Francisco Madrid, director of the Research Center, pointed out that this data must be analyzed in retrospect, since in the past Cancun was the preferred destination with a high supply of seats.
Madrid explained that the decrease in seats could be related to possible destination fatigue, which has led airlines to schedule flights to other destinations. This situation poses a challenge for the Mexican Caribbean, which has been a global tourist reference. The reduction in the supply of seats could translate into a lower influx of tourists, affecting the local economy and hotel occupancy.
Jesús Almaguer Salazar, president of the Association of Hotels of Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres, stressed that the report does not seek to generate controversy, but rather to provide well-founded information. Almaguer highlighted the career of Dr. Madrid and the Universidad Anáhuac, and emphasized the importance of handling accurate and realistic data to avoid creating false expectations.
Concerns about the decrease in airline seats add to the declines in hotel occupancy that have been recorded in Quintana Roo in recent years. According to Reportur, the construction of new resorts in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and surrounding areas has exceeded current demand, which has generated an oversupply of hotel rooms.
Last year, Quintana Roo added 5,000 new hotel rooms, reaching a total of more than 133,000 rooms. This increase represents significant growth compared to the nearly 100,000 rooms offered before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, demand has not grown at the same rate, which has generated fierce competition between hotels to attract tourists.
The current situation poses a challenge for the tourism sector in the Mexican Caribbean, which must seek strategies to attract more visitors and maintain hotel occupancy at optimal levels. The promotion of new tourist attractions, improved quality of services and diversification of the offer could be some of the measures to consider in order to face this challenge.
In this context, it is essential that authorities and stakeholders in the tourism sector work together to find solutions that will allow Cancún and its surroundings to remain preferred destinations for tourists. Collaboration between the public and private sectors will be key to overcoming this situation and ensuring the sustainable development of tourism in the region.
He Mexican Caribbean has proven in the past its ability to adapt to changes and overcome challenges. With an appropriate strategy and a focus on quality and sustainability, the region may be able to maintain its position as one of the most important tourist destinations worldwide.
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