Cozumel Business Council Laments Cancellation of Sacred Maya Crossing, Warns of Economic Impact

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The Cozumel Business Coordinating Council has expressed regret over the suspension of the Sacred Maya Crossing, an annual event organized by Grupo Xcaret, citing significant economic and cultural repercussions for the island.

The council issued a statement calling the event an “iconic” cultural manifestation that serves as “an engine of social integration, regional identity, and economic development for various destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, including our island.”

While acknowledging the importance of protecting the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples, the council argued that such protection must come with legal certainty, clear guidelines, and well-defined mechanisms to allow the responsible continuation of activities that strengthen both culture and the regional economy.

For Cozumel, the council said, such events are integral to a tourism, cultural, and social ecosystem that generates opportunities for service providers, local communities, and productive sectors directly dependent on tourism.

The cancellation, it warned, sends signals of uncertainty that could negatively impact the destination’s perception and investment planning.

The event typically generates an estimated total flow of 1,500 to 2,000 additional direct visitors to the island per edition, with a conservative estimated economic spillover of over 20 million pesos. This comes through increased hotel occupancy, restaurant consumption, and the hiring of transportation and tour services, particularly in areas near Cozumel’s arrival points.

It also directly involves more than 330 people in the community cast and contributes to the island’s promotion through audiovisual content and national and international tourism campaigns, with an estimated media exposure value of $1.5 million.

The council emphasized that the cancellation represents a negative impact not only economically but also for the projection of Cozumel’s cultural and tourism identity.

It called on authorities to establish clear, transparent, and applicable rules through institutional dialogue, allowing for the protection of cultural heritage without stifling economic development or the promotion of traditions.

“The lack of clear guidelines puts not only cultural events at risk, but the stability of multiple economic activities that depend on the correct interpretation of the law,” the statement added.

“Cozumel cannot afford to lose events that strengthen its identity, generate well-being for its communities, and position the island internationally. Legal certainty is not a luxury: it is an indispensable condition for preserving our culture and sustaining our economy,” it concluded.

Suspension Details

Grupo Xcaret executives announced the suspension at a press conference earlier today, citing a lack of certainty about the conditions under which the traditional event could proceed amid ongoing litigation.

The move comes 20 days after Mexico’s Supreme Court revoked a definitive suspension that had allowed Grupo Xcaret to use elements of Maya culture in its tourism advertising. The court ruled that protecting this heritage outweighed the commercial interests of a private company.

Consequently, the company was forced to remove such symbolism from its advertising and website while the underlying lawsuit with members of the Maya community and the National Copyright Institute is resolved.

The Sacred Maya Crossing, traditionally held between May and June, recreates the ancient pilgrimage Maya people made from Polé — now Xcaret — to Cozumel to venerate Ixchel, the goddess of the moon, fertility, and medicine.

Grupo Xcaret revived this route in 2007, transforming it into one of Quintana Roo’s most anticipated annual events. This year’s edition aimed to bring together over 300 canoeists and hundreds of residents from communities in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Cancún, and Tulum, with a particular emphasis on women’s participation.