Film Shoots Bring 320 Million Pesos a Year to Quintana Roo, Tourism Officials Say

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Film and commercial production pumps about 320 million pesos a year into Quintana Roo’s economy through spending on production, catering and contracted services, the state’s deputy tourism secretary said.

Pablo Casas said the state handled more than 200 productions last year alone, including commercials, feature films and documentaries, supporting them with permits and letters that ease shooting at locations across the state.

“We’ve just received a production that has Martín in the cast, who is also interested in coming to shoot here. We’re also going to have some Oscar winners filming here,” Casas said, declining to give details because the projects are still in the works.

He said requests from production companies arrive almost daily, with filmmakers seeking natural settings such as cenotes, beaches and archaeological sites. The state Tourism Department issues letters of support so they can work in any of Quintana Roo’s municipalities.

Push to diversify tourism promotion

Casas said the segment is monitored continuously and forms part of the state’s strategy to diversify tourism promotion. He also pointed to a proposal now under review in congressional committees that would move the state Film Commission under the Tourism Department.

Steady demand keeps Quintana Roo among Mexico’s most sought-after locations for domestic and international shoots. The state’s advantage lies in the variety of settings packed into short distances — jungle, the Caribbean Sea, lagoons, cenotes, islands, archaeological zones and cities with top-tier hotel infrastructure — which cuts travel costs for productions.

It also offers air connections through four international airports and a specialized supply chain for audiovisual services, lodging, transportation and food.

For the Tourism Department, film and advertising deliver more than direct revenue: they promote the destination organically on screens worldwide, helping attract visitors and cementing Quintana Roo’s reputation as Mexico’s natural backlot among studios and platforms from the United States, Europe and Latin America.