Hotel Occupancy in Playa del Carmen Tops 50% as Sargassum Recedes
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Hotel occupancy in this beach resort town has climbed above 50% for the first time in weeks, as a retreat of sargassum seaweed restores the appeal of local beaches.
Fabiana Briseño, the municipal tourism secretary, said the city recorded 55.6% occupancy for the week of July 11–17. “This generates positive expectations with the decrease in sargassum,” she said.
Briseño attributed the uptick to a series of events designed to attract visitors, including the “Sabor a Playa” festival, which drew locals and tourists from as far as Italy and Russia.
The annual Feria del Carmen closed with a concert that drew more than 30,000 people, and the city is preparing for a performance by Mexican singer Kenia Os on July 28, the municipality’s anniversary.
“We hope to continue on this path. More events will be announced soon, in partnership with the private sector,” Briseño added.
Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx
