Playa Mujeres Outshines Tulum in Hotel Occupancy Rates

Cancún, Mexico — Hotel occupancy rates in Quintana Roo’s Mexican Caribbean region present stark disparities, with Playa Mujeres reaching 74.2% while Tulum struggles at 61.4%, according to data as of June 6. The overall occupancy for the region stands at 66.2%, with Cancún at 70.6%, Riviera Maya at 65%, and lower figures in Isla Mujeres (57.9%) and Cozumel (57%), despite minimal sargassum presence in these areas.

Slower Bookings Amid Air Connectivity Challenges

Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association (AHCPMIM), noted that reservations for July and August are progressing slower than usual. He attributed this trend to reduced air connectivity and significant sargassum influx.

In the first quarter of 2025, Cancún International Airport saw a 6.9% decline in passenger traffic, losing 1.035 million travelers compared to the same period in 2024. This contrasts with the Dominican Republic, a key Caribbean competitor, which reported a 4% year-over-year increase with 3.3 million foreign visitors from January to March.

Tulum’s New Airport Fails to Offset Regional Losses

The newly operational Tulum International Airport welcomed 130,000 international passengers in the same quarter, according to Héctor Flores Santana’s Gemes Report, citing data from Mexico’s Secretariat of the Interior. Despite this, Quintana Roo’s airports collectively recorded a net loss in travelers.

Tourism representatives in Quintana Roo have criticized local strategies for the decline, rejecting explanations such as aircraft shortages, which have not similarly affected competitors like Punta Cana. The Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), led by Andrés Martínez Reynoso, has cited external factors for the downturn, even as Canadian and U.S. travelers shift away from Cuba—partly influenced by rhetoric from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Caribbean-Wide Tourism Decline

The Caribbean region experienced a 9.7% year-over-year drop in tourism during the first quarter, per UN Tourism data cited by STARC of Anáhuac Cancún, directed by Francisco Madrid. This decline is particularly pronounced in Cuban destinations like Havana and Varadero.