Cozumel Showcases Cruise Tourism at Global Industry Event in Miami

Miami, U.S. — Cozumel officials are promoting the island as a strategic Caribbean cruise destination at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, the world’s premier cruise industry event running from April 13 to 16 in Miami.

Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez announced on social media that he brought “Cozumel to the most important stage of the cruise industry in the world.” At the international gathering, which brings together industry leaders and destinations from over 80 countries, Chacón Méndez met with cruise line executives to position Cozumel as a key Caribbean hub and strengthen alliances that drive tourism growth.

The meeting included Michelle Paige and Adam Cesareno, president of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

Cozumel is a leader in cruise tourism and has received more than 261 million pesos for municipal projects, including a new polyforum, a police station, and recently paved downtown streets. Chacón Méndez continues negotiations with industry leaders to attract more projects and infrastructure improvements for Cozumel, which he says will benefit local residents and align with Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa’s vision of shared prosperity.

Earlier, Quintana Roo Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riesta reported meeting with executives from Royal Caribbean Group, one of the world’s largest cruise lines, as part of pre-Seatrade discussions. “During the meeting, we discussed Royal Caribbean’s investments in the state, as well as projects in Mahahual and Cozumel, including Cozumel Parks, focused on generating social benefits for our community,” Cueto Riesta said.

At the event, panelists predicted that over the next decade, land-based amusement parks will increasingly influence the design of customized cruise destinations. While cruise ships already feature water slides, roller coasters, and go-kart tracks, private islands and industrial ports are expected to add multisensory 5D attractions similar to those found in Central Florida theme parks.

Chacón Méndez emphasized that Cozumel’s tourism dynamism has been recognized by Governor Lezama Espinosa, who celebrated that the island is experiencing its best period for cruise tourist arrivals.

Seatrade Cruise Global is the leading global cruise industry professional event, bringing together cruise lines, technology providers, and industry leaders to shape the future of cruising. From digital transformation to customer experience innovation, the event serves as a hub for idea exchange, partnerships, and forward-looking strategies.