Business Leaders in Quintana Roo Urge Authorities to Strengthen Measles Prevention

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A leading business organization in Quintana Roo has called on authorities to strengthen measles prevention measures, warning that the highly contagious disease poses a public health risk that could impact the region’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.

Jovita Portillo Navarro, president of the Quintana Roo chapter of the Mexican Employers’ Confederation (Coparmex), issued the warning, noting the state’s sustained tourism growth and high international mobility. “Our destinations are growing, Quintana Roo exceeds 80 percent hotel occupancy, millions of people are moving, traveling, arriving—the world is here. But something else travels too. Measles doesn’t announce itself; it finds opportunities where prevention drops,” she said.

Portillo Navarro cited epidemiological monitoring data showing measles remains active in Mexico. As of April 6, 2026, probable and confirmed cases have been identified in several states, including Quintana Roo. The situation is particularly concerning for destinations with high international connectivity like the Mexican Caribbean, she emphasized, noting measles is one of the most contagious diseases but preventable through vaccination.

Official data indicates more than 90 percent of confirmed measles cases in Mexico involve individuals without a vaccination history, highlighting the need to strengthen coverage. Health experts say vaccination rates must reach at least 95 percent to prevent outbreaks.

The call comes during a period of high tourist traffic. In March 2026, average hotel occupancy in Quintana Roo reached 77.1 percent, surpassing 80 percent during Holy Week. Officials estimate over 600,000 tourists arrived in a single week, with more than 1.2 million expected during the holiday period, solidifying Quintana Roo’s status as one of the hemisphere’s most important destinations.

Portillo Navarro stressed that public health is a key factor in maintaining visitor and investor confidence, as it forms part of the tourism experience and regional economic stability. “A strong destination isn’t just one that grows; it’s one that anticipates. At Coparmex Quintana Roo, we say prevention isn’t a protocol, it’s a decision. In a Mexico that welcomes the world, that decision defines who we are,” she said.

The business group proposed updating vaccination schedules, strengthening early case detection in workplaces and tourist areas, promoting informational campaigns in businesses, and enhancing coordination between authorities, the private sector, and the public. Portillo Navarro called for shared responsibility across all sectors to maintain adequate health conditions, warning that prevention not only protects public health but also supports the state’s tourism and economic development.