Cancún, Quintana Roo — Hotel and business leaders in the Mexican Caribbean have issued an urgent call for federal authorities to design and implement an emergency strategy to recover the flow of Brazilian tourists to Quintana Roo, a high-spending market that has seen significant losses in recent years.
Representatives from major tourism associations said the mandatory physical visa requirement for Brazilian citizens has stifled the growth this market was showing in the region. Bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of appointments at Mexican consulates in South America have forced major tour operators to redirect travelers to competing destinations such as the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands.
High Economic Impact
The industry emphasized that the Brazilian visitor profile is highly coveted by the local value chain. Unlike traditional tourists, Brazilian travelers tend to stay longer and spend heavily on key segments such as luxury hotels, fine dining, excursions, and high-end shopping malls.
The absence of this segment has created a commercial void felt directly by service providers in Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and Tulum, who have become overly dependent on North American and domestic markets to maintain occupancy rates.
Digital Solutions Urged
To reverse the downward trend in upcoming holiday seasons, business leaders propose the definitive implementation of an automated electronic visa system, eliminating in-person appointments and cumbersome physical paperwork.
They also suggested the feasibility of temporary visa exemptions for Brazilian tourists traveling through certified travel agencies or holding valid U.S. or Schengen visas, which would accelerate the return of one of the most profitable traveler communities for the state’s economy.
