Playa del Carmen: Transforming into a Top Tourist Hotspot

Playa del Carmen is looking to transform itself from an "All-Inclusive" to an "All Included" destination. This initiative is being led by the municipal president of Solidaridad, Estefanía Mercado. She is calling for a collective effort from entrepreneurs, society, and the government to lay the groundwork for this transformation.

Tourism is the main economic driver in the area, and the local administration is implementing new projects to ensure a safe, competitive, and sustainable tourism industry. These initiatives include the "APP Let's Playa", a mobile application for sharing experiences and promoting tourism, and "Quinta Sostenible", a project aimed at improving a key tourist route.

Mercado is urging the private sector to join in these efforts to foster a more competitive, sustainable, and humane form of tourism. She also advocates for the development of new products, including alternative tourism. With over 290 hotels and an estimated 45,600 rooms, Playa del Carmen can accommodate a wide range of tourists. These accommodations make up 35 percent of the hotel opportunities in Quintana Roo, indicating a robust infrastructure capable of attracting diverse types of tourism.

The majority of visitors to Playa del Carmen hail from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, and France. However, one of the main challenges is to attract new markets with high purchasing power.

Mercado is optimistic about the future, as the foundations for this transformation are already in place. The business sector has shown its support for the project, and together with the government, they are making decisions to enhance tourism in Solidaridad. The Municipal Secretary of Tourism is also making key adjustments to promote Playa del Carmen at major tourist fairs worldwide, where Quintana Roo and its 12 destinations are represented.