Hoteliers Launch Tulum Renace Program to Revive Tourism After Visitor Decline

Tulum archaeological site with tourists and palm trees

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The Riviera Maya Hotel Association has welcomed the launch of the Tulum Renace program, a 10-point initiative aimed at reversing a sharp decline in tourism to the archaeological zone. The program includes eliminating entry fees for Mexican visitors to the Jaguar National Park and launching a permanent promotional campaign.

Toni Chaves, president of the hotel association, said the measures are a critical step toward restoring Tulum’s competitiveness after months of challenges linked to park operations, beach access, and service costs.

“We recognize the authorities’ willingness to listen to the tourism sector’s proposals. The announced measures represent an important step to recover Tulum’s competitiveness and improve the visitor experience,” Chaves said. “When government and private initiative work together, the main beneficiaries are tourism, the regional economy, and the thousands of families who depend on this activity.”

Since July 24, Mexican nationals have been granted free entry to the Jaguar National Park; foreign visitors must pay 265 pesos, which includes access to both the archaeological zone and the protected natural area.

The program also includes infrastructure improvements and a sustained marketing campaign targeting domestic and international tourists. Chaves noted that these actions address concerns voiced by hoteliers, especially after Tulum experienced one of its worst tourism crises a year ago, with unprecedented drops due to governmental and social issues.

Data from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) shows the archaeological zone attracted more than 1 million visitors annually between 2011 and 2019, peaking at 2.1 million in 2018. Pre-pandemic averages were 1.6 to 1.8 million. However, after the Jaguar Park opened, visits fell to about 1.24 million in 2024 and 1,031,443 in 2025.

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By Laura Castillo

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