Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s cruise tourism industry is set for a strategic boost following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the sector.
The agreement seeks to attract more international visitors, generate employment, and bolster key destinations like Cozumel. Bernardo Cueto Riestra, president of the Association of Tourism Secretaries (Asetur), emphasized that the deal will solidify relationships with major cruise lines operating in the Caribbean and increase the influx of tourists.
The MOU outlines joint tourism promotion efforts through FCCA channels and the cruise lines themselves, expanding the global reach of Mexican destinations. It also includes plans to integrate more national products into ship supplies and promote Mexican crafts, textiles, and art through the Hecho en México (Made in Mexico) program.
Another key focus is job creation for Mexican sailors through partnerships with educational institutions. Permanent working groups between authorities and the private sector have been established to improve port operations and enhance the tourist experience. Asetur and the Tourism Ministry are also analyzing strategic data to identify opportunities and increase economic benefits for destinations.
Quintana Roo remains Mexico’s primary hub for maritime tourism, hosting the ports with the highest number of ship arrivals. Cozumel leads as the country’s most important port and one of the busiest globally, thanks to its infrastructure capable of handling multiple large cruise ships simultaneously.
According to the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo, 369 cruise ships arrived in Cozumel between January 1 and March 15, 2026. Passenger numbers remain stable: while 1,239,779 tourists were recorded in 2025, the figure reached 1,240,875 visitors in 2026, reflecting a steady flow of cruise passengers.
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