Governor Lezama Swears in New Chetumal-Tulum Chamber of Commerce Leadership, Touts Southern Quintana Roo Investment

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa highlighted the economic potential of southern Quintana Roo during the swearing-in ceremony for the new leadership of the Chetumal-Tulum Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco), emphasizing a favorable environment for investment, growth, and shared prosperity.

At the event where Adrienne Díaz Villanueva assumed the presidency, the governor noted the advancement of female leadership in strategic spaces, stating that her arrival marks a new stage in the region’s business life.

Accompanied by Octavio de la Torre Stéffano, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Mexico (CONCANACO Servytur México), the state executive underscored that southern Quintana Roo has conditions like never before to spur growth with shared prosperity. These include the designation of Chetumal as a “Polo del Bienestar” (Well-being Hub), which opens opportunities to attract investment and generate jobs.

“There will be investment like never before in Chetumal,” Lezama said, making clear that Chetumal will remain the capital of Quintana Roo. “We are going to continue investing like never before, we are going to tell the world that Chetumal is here, with its beauties, its family businesses,” she added.

Among the main competitive advantages, Lezama cited the consolidation of strategic infrastructure like the Maya Train and the Tulum International Airport, which joins the Chetumal airport to strengthen regional connectivity, tourism projects, the “barrio mágico” (magical neighborhood), health services with a 120-bed hospital and equipment like a third-generation CT scanner, the Quintana Roo Park (home of the ExpoFer) with an archaeological park, and the recovery of the zoo.

After taking the oath, Adrienne Díaz Villanueva, who replaces Amir Efrén Padilla Espadas, recalled that this Chamber is a 96-year-old business organization whose history is reflected in every family business and every new store that opens.

She acknowledged the impetus Governor Lezama gives to this effort, with concrete results that are changing the face of Chetumal, but also noted that challenges remain where efforts must be redoubled.

For his part, CONCANACO president Octavio de la Torre Stéffano said the new board renews responsibility to Chetumal and represents an organized community. He explained CONCANACO’s objectives in favor of small and medium-sized businesses, which drive the country’s economy, by promoting formality, financing, digitalization, economic security to curb extortion, and community tourism.

The swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 board of the Canaco Chetumal-Tulum also served as the backdrop for the signing of the “New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo for the Strengthening of Local Commerce and the Economic Development of the South.”

Attendees included Verónica Lezama Espinosa, honorary president of the Quintana Roo DIF system; Yensunni Martínez Hernández, municipal president of Othón P. Blanco; Paul Carrillo de Cáceres, Quintana Roo Secretary of Economic Development; Mr. José Luis Kelly, Consul of Belize in Chetumal; Efrén Pérez, president of the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America and the Dominican Republic and president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association; Sergio Avilés Demeneghi, president of the Quintana Roo Electoral Tribunal; and Nora Cerón González, councilor of the Quintana Roo Electoral Institute.