Cancún Restaurants Struggle Through September With Occupancy Below 50%

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Cancún’s restaurant industry is heading into the final days of September with occupancy rates below 50 percent, while even the strongest performers are barely topping 60 percent, according to Perla Flores Navarro, president of the Cancún chapter of Canirac, Mexico’s national restaurant industry chamber.

Flores Navarro said the sector reaches this point in the year “worn out,” citing activity levels recorded since January and an economic environment she described as unfavorable for Mexico, Quintana Roo and the municipality of Benito Juárez.

“We are still low,” she said. She noted that while September’s figures could be considered relatively normal for the season, the problem is that restaurants arrive at this period after several months of activity below expectations.

Canirac Prepares Coupon Book to Boost Spending

Against that backdrop, Canirac is organizing a push to revive consumption in October. The chamber will launch a coupon book and a 15-day promotional campaign during the second half of the month.

The initiative will initially be open to restaurants affiliated with the chamber, and organizers expect between 50 and 100 establishments to take part. Participating businesses will offer special packages priced between 150 and 400 pesos, with promotions varying by restaurant.

The goal is to draw in local consumers and generate cash flow for establishments before the year-end high season begins in earnest.