Mahahual Street Vendors Spark Safety and Unfair Competition Concerns

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Business owners in Mahahual have expressed dissatisfaction with the disorder caused by street vendors during the arrival of cruise ships, a situation they attribute to a lack of oversight by the Othón P. Blanco Municipality, led by Yensunni Martínez Hernández, and the limited presence of the Fiscalization area, directed by Óscar Dzib Cocom.

According to service providers, every time a ship docks at the pier, dozens of vendors set up on the malecón without any supervision. This activity directly affects legally established businesses, who pay taxes, comply with regulations, and depend on tourism to sustain their operations during the high season.

During a tour of the tourist area, Gerardo Pérez Zafra pointed out that the increase in street vendors has a clear economic impact, especially on restaurants and food stalls. He explained that, without a clear census, it is unknown how many vendors operate each day and under what conditions they do so. This, he said, increases the risk for visitors and residents.

Pérez Zafra warned that some street vendors work with gas tanks and other materials that do not undergo Civil Protection reviews, representing a safety risk.

“There are people who arrive with products we don’t know and without supervision. This could end badly if there is no control,” he stated.

The business owner also lamented that the authorities do not maintain real follow-up on the reports that, according to some merchants, are indeed filed during certain operations. However, he assured that these sanctions have no evident effects, as the same vendors return without restrictions whenever a new cruise ship arrives at the coast.

Pérez Zafra commented that some restaurateurs are even considering closing their businesses on certain days due to unfair competition, as informal commerce continues to increase and operates without regulation.

“Many think it’s already better to lower the shutters and dedicate themselves to selling informally. It’s a constant drain to compete like this,” he affirmed.

Another problem highlighted is that several vendors come from nearby communities only to work during peak tourist hours. They store their tricycles in the area, work during the day, and return to their localities without leaving any record or paying municipal fees.

The business owners insisted that the lack of inspectors causes the situation to grow out of control. They demanded that the Municipality implement a real census, establish order, and maintain constant surveillance to prevent risks and protect the economy of those who fulfill their tax obligations.