Playa del Carmen & UNESCO Team Up to Protect Culture

Playas de Rosarito, Baja California — During the 49th edition of Mexico’s Tianguis Turístico, authorities from Playa del Carmen and representatives of UNESCO agreed to develop a joint plan to safeguard the cultural heritage of this destination in the Mexican Caribbean.

Focus on Tradition and Community Tourism

The agreement centers on preserving the traditional celebration of the Virgen del Carmen, a festival with over 60 years of history, regarded as a living symbol of local identity. Additionally, the plan includes drafting a roadmap for community tourism, promoting city-branded products, establishing tourism management indicators, and highlighting indigenous cultures.

Estefanía Hernández, Secretary of Tourism for Playa del Carmen, met with Carlos Tejada and Luis Carlos Zea, representatives of UNESCO’s National Office of Culture. They were joined by Antón Bojórquez Mackay, Secretary of Economic Development and Investment Attraction, and Ernesto Martínez Cuéllar, Director of the Municipal Institute of Culture and the Arts.

Hernández emphasized the importance of integrating this tradition into community tourism, stating, “With UNESCO’s support, we will keep the culture and traditions of Playa del Carmen alive.”

Carlos Tejada welcomed the collaboration, noting its focus on strengthening community tourism and creating indicators to measure the cultural impact on the quality of life of indigenous communities.

Agreement Signed at Tianguis Turístico

The agreement was signed at the “Caribe Mexicano” pavilion of the 2025 Tianguis Turístico, held at the Baja California Center, where all 12 tourist destinations of Quintana Roo were represented.