Riviera Maya Resorts Start Post-Spring Break Renovations

Cancún, Mexico — Following the conclusion of spring break vacations, several resorts in the Riviera Maya have begun renovation projects, including the Hotel Oasis and a section of the Bahía Príncipe complex, according to Claudio Cortés, commissioner of the CROC union in Tulum.

The union leader stated that the renovations aim to take advantage of the low season while minimizing disruptions to the workforce. “Preferably, the workers being laid off are temporary. In the case of permanent employees, they are being compensated in accordance with labor laws and offered the opportunity to return once the renovations are complete,” Cortés explained.

The remodeling efforts are expected to last approximately six months. Cortés emphasized that measures are being taken to protect workers’ rights and facilitate their rehiring once the projects conclude.

Despite recent layoffs, the union representative noted that overall hotel occupancy in the Riviera Maya remains high, averaging around 85%, driven primarily by domestic tourism. “Since the pandemic, occupancy has been sustained by visitors from the Yucatán Peninsula and regions like Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City, who continue to choose this destination for vacations,” he said.

Cortés acknowledged a disparity in occupancy rates between Tulum’s coastal area and other parts of the Riviera Maya, highlighting a challenge for the sector. Recovery strategies will need to focus on revitalizing demand in the latter half of the year, once renovations are completed.

As previously reported by REPORTUR.mx, data from the STARC research center at Anáhuac Cancún University indicates a decline in international tourist arrivals to Mexico’s Caribbean destinations in the first months of the year. Francisco Madrid, director of STARC, stated that the summer season will be a critical test for gauging traveler trends.