Playa del Carmen Joins International Smart Tourism Network

Aerial view of Playa del Carmen beach with turquoise water and white sand

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen has been selected to join the International Training and Self-Diagnosis Program for Smart Tourist Destinations (DTI), an initiative led by the Ibero-American Network of Smart Tourist Destinations (RIDTI) aimed at boosting competitiveness and modernization.

The municipality’s inclusion was secured through efforts by the Municipal Tourism Secretariat and is part of a strategy to align tourism management with international standards. The program was presented to the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Americas during the 2026 International Fair of Smart Destinations (FIDI) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As part of the initiative, Playa del Carmen will undergo specialized training and conduct a self-diagnosis to assess its development across five strategic areas: governance, innovation, technology, sustainability, and accessibility. The results will guide actions to strengthen tourism planning.

Municipal Tourism Secretary Fabiana Briseño said the program offers an opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices with destinations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay, enhancing international cooperation in tourism.

With this membership, Playa del Carmen joins a global network focused on promoting more efficient, innovative, and sustainable tourism development models, using tools to improve visitor experiences and strengthen the destination’s competitiveness in the global market.

Discover more from Riviera Maya News

Sign up to receive a summary of the best news in your inbox, every day.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

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