Bacalar Hoteliers Push for More Flights at Chetumal Airport as Tulum Routes Shrink

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — With flights to Tulum International Airport being canceled, the head of Bacalar’s hotel association says Chetumal’s airport could help draw more visitors to the state’s southern region — provided its route offerings are expanded.

Enrique Bautista, president of the Bacalar Hotel Association, said tour operators showed interest in southern Quintana Roo destinations during a tourism caravan through several northern Mexican states, but that the lack of air connectivity remains the main obstacle.

Travel agencies and service providers recognize Bacalar as a high-demand destination for their clients, he said, yet the sector faces a critical challenge that is holding back its ability to attract visitors.

Despite strong commercial interest, Bautista warned that southern Quintana Roo is practically cut off from northern Mexico.

“While the Tulum terminal is seeing a drop in flights, the southern part of the state is establishing itself as a highly sought-after market that urgently needs direct domestic routes,” he said.

He repeated his call for the relevant authorities to review a proposal to add Bacalar’s name to Chetumal International Airport as a branding and positioning strategy.

Such a change, he said, would give the Pueblo Mágico immediate visibility on global booking platforms, making searches quicker and more appealing for domestic and international travelers hoping to explore the southern Mexican Caribbean.

Bautista described the northern tourism caravan as a success in promoting the Pueblo Mágico’s attractions and strengthening its presence before the country’s leading travel agents.

The tour, which stopped in Monterrey, Chihuahua, Culiacán and Tijuana, put hoteliers in contact with just over 300 travel agencies.