Mexican Caribbean Ends 2023 with Record Tourist Numbers, Faces Challenges in 2024
MÉXICO » News » December 2023 » Mexican Caribbean Ends 2023 with Record Tourist Numbers, Faces Challenges in 2024
Published by Forbes Staff on December 28, 2023
The Mexican Caribbean is poised to conclude 2023 on a high note, welcoming over 20 million tourists throughout the year, witnessing a record-breaking surge in airport passengers, and gearing up for major infrastructure projects in 2024. Despite these accomplishments, the region faces the uphill task of adjusting hotel rates.
Cancun International Airport, a bustling hub with connections to 114 national and international cities (expanding to 120 in high season), is on track to surpass 32 million passengers. The popular tourist destination of Cancun alone expects 1.8 million visitors during the winter season (December, January, and part of February).
In the state of Quintana Roo, encompassing tourist hotspots like Holbox, Isla Mujeres, and parts of the Riviera Maya, accommodation is at full capacity, especially leading up to the year-end. Quintana Roo captures nearly half of Mexico’s international tourism, experiencing a 12.1% YoY increase in foreign visitors during the first three quarters of 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Jesús Almaguer Salazar, president of the Association of Hotels of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Puerto Morelos, revealed that the winter season is expected to generate over $2 billion in revenue, reflecting a steady recovery post-COVID-19.
Looking ahead to 2024, the challenge lies in adjusting hotel rates, which have remained stagnant since 2018. Tourism leaders anticipate that the recovery of international markets and improvements in security will pave the way for more favorable rate negotiations with wholesale agencies.
Javier Monje, RIU Sales Director in the Mexican Caribbean, celebrated the exceptional occupancy rates at the close of 2023, attributing the success to the collaborative efforts of the private sector and government. Noting the consolidated status of destinations like Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and Costa Mujeres, Monje highlighted the consistent occupancy levels, reaching or approaching 100% across their 14 hotels in the state.
Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama reported preliminary data indicating over 4.5 million cruise passengers and 20 million tourists arriving by air or road by the end of 2023. She emphasized the significance of the newly inaugurated Tulum international airport, managed by the Army, and the region’s four International Air Transport Association (IATA)-certified airports.
In response to safety concerns, the recent delivery of special patrol units for the beach areas in Cancun aims to enhance security. Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta detailed ongoing efforts to equip tourist police with specialized vehicles designed for beach patrolling, featuring advanced technological capabilities for improved response capacity.
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Magical Towns
A Magical Town is a place with symbols and legends, towns with history that in many cases have been the scene of transcendent events for our country, they are places that show the national identity in each of its corners, with a magic that emanates from its attractions ; visiting them is an opportunity to discover the charm of Mexico. The Magical Towns Program contributes to revalue a set of populations in the country that have always been in the collective imagination of the nation and that represent fresh and varied alternatives for national and foreign visitors. A town that through time and in the face of modernity, has conserved, valued and defended its historical, cultural and natural heritage; and manifests it in various expressions through its tangible and intangible heritage. A Magical Town is a town that has unique, symbolic attributes, authentic stories, transcendent events, everyday life, which means a great opportunity for tourist use, taking into account the motivations and needs of travelers.… Read More
Capital Cities
Folklore, gastronomy, literary culture, art and exhibitions, is what you will find in the capitals of the states of Mexico. To the north, colonial Mexico, Puebla, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, the Sonoran desert and the California peninsula. To the east Veracruz and the gulf. To the west Acapulco, Oaxaca and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. And to the south the Riviera Maya and the pyramids of Chichén-Itzá, Tulúm and Cobá in Yucatán, Palenque in Chiapas, the cenotes, and the Central American jungles.… Read More
Beaches
On the Beaches of Mexico you can immerse yourself in the intense blue ocean of the Pacific bays, sunbathe on the shore of the warm and transparent waves of the Caribbean Sea in Quintana Roo or even rest on the beautiful coasts of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexican beaches hide wonderful secrets for the traveler. By visiting them, in addition to enjoying the excellent climate and water activities, you can discover splendid archaeological sites and interesting colonial cities without traveling long distances.… Read More
Ecotourism and Adventure
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Traditions in Mexico
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States Of Mexico
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