Mexican Caribbean hotel occupancy falls to 65%

Cancun, Quintana Roo — Hotel occupancy in the Mexican Caribbean has fallen to around 65% after several months averaging above 70%, according to weekly reports from the state Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur). The decline marks a slowdown for a region heavily reliant on steady visitor numbers.

In the week of April 18-24, occupancy stood at 72.1%. By late April and early May, it had dropped to approximately 65%. The number of tourists also fell, from 541,000 at the start of April to 434,000 a month later.

The decline was most pronounced in specific destinations. Puerto Morelos recorded 58% occupancy, while Tulum dropped to 53%.

Fewer Flights to Cancun

Air traffic at Cancun International Airport also slowed. April 18 was the last day the airport recorded more than 500 daily operations; since then, the average has remained below 450. The reduction in flights compounds the impact of airlines such as Magnicharters and Spirit suspending operations.

World Cup 2026 Bookings Lag

Hoteliers in the region report that advance reservations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are running at least 15% below expectations. Toni Chaves Palomo, president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, described the summer and the World Cup as a strategic opportunity but urged caution given the global economic outlook.

Factors Behind the Slowdown

Industry sources point to several factors driving the deceleration: reduced daily flight operations, airline closures, slower-than-expected summer bookings, international economic uncertainty, and increased competition from other beach destinations and World Cup host cities.

The occupancy dip comes after the Easter holiday period and ahead of the summer season and the 2026 World Cup, an event that has generated high expectations for Mexican tourism. While the numbers do not signal a crisis, they indicate a loss of momentum in a key economic sector.