Playa del Carmen Officials Meet with Diving Union to Boost Economic Inclusion

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Municipal officials met with diving union representatives this week to integrate the sector into Playa del Carmen’s transition toward a more inclusive tourism model.

Estefanía Hernández, Secretary of Economic Development and Investment Attraction, represented Mayor Estefanía Mercado in the working meeting with members of the divers’ union. The session focused on promoting diving as a strategic activity within the city’s development plans.

Officials highlighted that more than 500,000 tourists visit the region annually to dive, generating significant economic benefits, jobs, and foreign currency that directly benefit coastal communities.

Hernández explained that authorities will work with more than 2,000 permit holders in the sector to update and integrate their registry. This effort aims to strengthen regulation, organization, and professionalization of the key economic activity.

The actions form part of broader strategies to shift from the traditional “all-inclusive” tourism model toward what officials call an “all-included” approach. This transition seeks greater integration of local production chains, participation from independent service providers, and more equitable distribution of tourism benefits.