Mahahual Expects 90% Hotel Occupancy for Year-End Holidays

Chetumal, Mexico – Although Mahahual is currently recording hotel occupancy of just 60 percent in this second half of December, Gerardo Pérez Zafra, the representative of Coparmex in the Costa Maya, expressed the confidence of tourism service providers that the percentage will rebound during the peak dates of this December holiday period with the arrival of both cruise ship and domestic tourists.

He explained that, following the low occupancy recorded in September, October, and November, there are high expectations of achieving higher occupancy considering the level of hotel room reservations recorded for the dates of December 24, 25, 31, and January 1, which could generate the arrival of about 10,000 tourists during the December holidays.

He said that at this time, the arrival of tourists via cruise ships has become the main source of arrivals for the Mahahual area “because there are between 68 and 72 large vessels scheduled, and that will significantly activate the sector, especially restaurants, nautical services, and tours.”

Pérez Zafra reiterated that current hotel occupancy is approximately 60 percent, “with the peaks of highest occupancy being from December 29 to January 1 or 2, where we could reach up to 90 percent, so there is confidence that we will be able to recover.”

He explained that expectations could vary depending on the number of cruise ships that dock at the pier and the influx of travelers arriving by land to the tourist center, mainly national and European tourists who choose Mahahual to spend the year-end holidays.

He recalled that last year there was a 10 percent modification in hotel rates and that for this season there will be no modification as the purpose is to remain an accessible and affordable point, which keeps it in the preferences of visitors.

He mentioned that last year they could not meet the established goal due to inconveniences caused by the Maya Train construction work, but this time, the situation could be favorable for businesses and thus provide a breather to start the year well.