Cancún Families Slash Restaurant Visits Amid Economic Strain

The economic climate has led many families in Cancún to reduce their spending on dining out.

A recent report by the Cancún branch of the National Chamber of Industry of Restaurants and Seasoned Foods (Canirac) reveals a significant decrease in regular patron visits, with up to a 90% drop attributed to the current economic situation. This has led many families to postpone their restaurant outings.

Julio Villarreal Zapata, president of Canirac, explained that since the start of the year, they have been surveying diners to gauge the drop in attendance. "We found that customers who used to dine out four times a week now only do so 1.5 times a week, if we're lucky. Others have stopped completely as their income has decreased," he said.

The economic downturn has led to families cutting back on their spending, which has a direct impact on local businesses in the sector. In March alone, restaurant occupancy was around 60%, a low figure for the industry, leaving businesses hoping for a boost from vacation seasons like Holy Week.

Adding to the problem, tourists are also spending less at restaurants. "As small local businesses, we've seen our income decrease," Villarreal Zapata said.

Inflation in Quintana Roo was at 3.8% at the end of the first half of March, according to 'México cómo vamos?', a decrease from the beginning of the year when it was 4.5%. However, the cost of supplies has remained high for the sector, and the global economic situation offers no positive incentives.

Canirac plans to continue seeking the best options and prioritizing local supplies through the National Pact, in an effort to support local businesses. However, the success of this strategy will also depend on the financial situation of families and their ability to spend on dining out.