Record-Breaking Christmas Cruise Day in Cozumel

On Christmas Day, the ports of Cozumel greeted eight cruise ships carrying over 30,550 tourists. These visitors chose to spend their holiday season on the island known as the Island of the Swallows. From December 14th to 20th, Cozumel and Mahahual saw the arrival of 55 cruise ships in total. According to the state government of Quintana Roo, the influx of tourists on December 25th accounted for 25.05 percent of the total visitors expected in the final week of cruises for 2024.

The Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, recently met with representatives of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in Miami. The meeting was held to discuss the progress of the Cruise Tourism Promotion Fund. This fund, established in August 2024 under the guidance of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, aims to enhance the port infrastructure of Cozumel and Mahahual. It also seeks to bolster public safety and improve disaster prevention and response mechanisms.

The meeting resulted in several agreements, including the introduction of a five-dollar Cruise Right per person, effective from January 1, 2025. This fee is separate from a federal charge that will be introduced in July of the same year. The first quarter of 2025 will see the presentation of a plan for the allocation of these funds to various projects.

The projects financed by this fund will prioritize social impact and environmental protection, aligning with the state government's sustainability policies.

The Royal Caribbean shipping company confirmed its commitment to invest in the ports of Quintana Roo. It was also agreed that the state would work with federal authorities to secure the necessary permissions to commence infrastructure projects in the summer of 2025. Cueto Riestra emphasized the significance of these agreements, noting their potential to boost the state's tourism sector, particularly cruise tourism.

Cueto Riestra praised the vision of Governor Mara Lezama and the cooperation of industry stakeholders. He expressed optimism that the improvements to tourism infrastructure would not only enhance the appeal of Cozumel and Mahahual as destinations, but also contribute to the overall sustainability and prosperity of Quintana Roo.