Cancún Hotel Industry Urges Action Against Rising Crime

The president of the Association of Hotels in Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, Jesús Almaguer Salazar, has expressed serious concern about recent violent incidents in Cancún. These incidents include a murder on the beach in front of the Riu Palace Las Americas hotel, where armed individuals arrived on jet skis to commit the crime. Almaguer Salazar, who is currently in Argentina promoting Cancún as a tourist destination, stated that these incidents seriously damage the city's reputation and hinder efforts to attract tourists.

Almaguer Salazar is particularly concerned about the lack of arrests following these incidents. He has called on authorities to be more effective in capturing those responsible. He stated, "Promoting our destination is pointless if these types of incidents continue to happen." He stressed that violence creates a sense of unease among visitors and can undermine any tourism promotion efforts.

In an interview with Radio Formula, Almaguer Salazar noted that these violent incidents are happening during a period of low tourist occupancy, which only worsens the situation. He said, "While low season is a reality for many tourist destinations, this year has been particularly challenging, making the insecurity even more damaging to our industry."

Almaguer Salazar acknowledged that local authorities, including the state police, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Armed Forces, have been meeting to develop security strategies. However, he emphasized the urgent need for these strategies to be implemented in a more visible and effective manner. He stated, "We need stricter laws with harsher punishments and, most importantly, a greater presence of the Navy and tourist police in beach areas."

While attending a tourism fair in Argentina, Almaguer Salazar remarked that it has not yet been necessary to counteract negative news about Cancún. However, he conceded that if these incidents persist, they could have negative impacts on the market. He said, "Cancún has always been a positive showcase for the country, but these types of situations set us back years in our work."

In conclusion, Almaguer Salazar called on local lawmakers to create laws that enhance security in the state and protect both tourists and residents of Quintana Roo.