Playa del Carmen Courts French Tourists With Experiences Beyond All-Inclusive Resorts

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen is courting French travelers by promoting experiences that go beyond the traditional all-inclusive resort model, following more than 40 meetings with tour operators at the Top Resa 2026 fair in France, municipal Tourism Secretary Fabiana Briceño said.

Briceño called the destination’s participation in the trade event productive, saying the pitch focused on showing that Playa del Carmen offers alternatives beyond sun and sand. Officials presented operators with information on activities, tours and tourism products available in the municipality.

European Travelers Want to Leave the Resort

Briceño said the European market, and the French market in particular, is eager to leave its hotels and explore different experiences while on vacation. She said that trend gives the destination a chance to spread visitor spending across a wider range of tourism service providers.

Among the offerings promoted were routes and experiences that let visitors tour the destination, along with diving — an activity Briceño said draws strong interest from European travelers. The aim is to use Playa del Carmen’s location in the Riviera Maya to expand the options available to visitors during their stay.

After the more than 40 meetings held in France, the municipal Tourism Department expects the agreements and contacts made with operators to translate into more French arrivals. Briceño said results will show as operators begin to incorporate and market the experiences presented at the fair.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx