Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Local experts are urging Playa del Carmen to move beyond its traditional sun-and-beach tourism model and diversify into medical, cultural, and convention tourism to safeguard the local economy.
Mario Moguel Rosado, president of the College of Engineers of Playa del Carmen, said that relying solely on beach tourism leaves the city vulnerable to economic shocks. He pointed to the recurring sargassum seaweed problem as one factor that has already caused a drop in tourist arrivals.
“We need to evolve toward a sustainable, diversified model,” Moguel Rosado said. “Why not attract investors to build a convention center and host concerts? Other states in Mexico host large events and generate significant economic spillover.”
Accountant Angel Perera Ruiz echoed the call, arguing that the city should not depend only on peak vacation seasons. He proposed expanding into medical, cultural, and adventure tourism, as well as developing other industries such as textiles and manufacturing.
“We have to project other activities to strengthen the local economy, diversify experiences, and make stays more profitable,” Perera Ruiz said.
Moguel Rosado stressed that while tourism remains Playa del Carmen’s core industry, the city must segment its economy to retain internal spending and withstand challenges like sargassum. He urged both government and private sector to work together on short- and long-term projections.
Perera Ruiz added that stimulating the economy requires political will and a clear government vision, noting that current social program priorities make it difficult to promote economic segmentation.
