Low Tourism Keeps Some Akumal Water Sports Cooperatives Idle as Revenue Lags Operating Costs

Akumal, Quintana Roo — Water sports providers in Akumal have returned to work after a month-long suspension, but weak tourism is leaving some cooperatives idle because their income does not cover operating costs.

Manuel Jiménez, owner of H2O Adventures and one of the sector’s representatives, said September brought a low season that was tougher than usual, though repeat visitors helped partly sustain the work of cooperatives, beach workers, vendors and boat operators.

He said 22 cooperatives have resumed operations, but demand remains far below expectations — to the point that some groups have simply stopped showing up.

“There are 22 cooperatives that have restarted. Right now things are bad, very low, extremely low; there are even cooperatives that don’t come to work because they spend more getting here than what they earn by working,” he said.

The situation is compounded by the recent arrival of sargassum on Akumal’s beaches. Jiménez said September saw no major seaweed influxes, but a considerable amount of the algae has washed ashore over the past three days.

He said cleanup efforts continue with the participation of cooperatives, hoteliers and the federal government to keep the beaches in suitable condition for visitors.

Looking ahead, providers expect a gradual recovery in November around the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, followed by stronger tourism activity in December. They hope the uptick in visitors will lift their income and restore normal operations after what they described as a particularly difficult season.