Cozumel Tourism Union Warns of Unregulated Competition Impact on Legitimate Operators

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A tourism union in Cozumel has raised alarms about the growing number of unlicensed service providers on the island, warning that unfair competition is severely impacting the income of legitimate operators.

Carlos Díaz Herrera, secretary of the Tourism Promoters and Commission Agents Union affiliated with the CTM labor federation, said the rise of unregulated operators has reached alarming levels, directly harming the economy of those with official permits. He explained that while the island is experiencing a domestic tourism season during Holy Week and expects increases in summer and December, revenues are no longer what they were in previous years.

Díaz Herrera noted that cruise ships continue to arrive, but visitors are not spending as freely, forcing regulated promoters to adjust prices to remain competitive. The union claims there are more irregular operators than regulated ones, with approximately 300 unlicensed promoters for every 100 licensed ones—representing a 200 percent increase in unfair competition.

The union currently has 22 members with valid permits and more applicants awaiting municipal authorization. However, the Street Commerce Evaluation Committee has not convened to issue new permits, while unlicensed operators continue to work without restrictions. This disparity has created a situation where “the illegal appears legal and the legal becomes illegal,” as regulated operators face inspections and sanctions while unlicensed ones operate without consequences.

The economic impact is evident, with unionized promoters now securing only four out of every ten contracts they previously obtained, significantly reducing income and complicating compliance with obligations such as permit payments and contributions.