Playa del Carmen Eateries Tackle Slow Season with New Plans

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Restaurateurs in Playa del Carmen are implementing various strategies to navigate the traditionally slow months of September and October, according to Roberto Lepes, president of the local chapter of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac).

Anticipating a Challenging Low Season

Lepes acknowledged that the upcoming low season is expected to be difficult. In response, the industry is collaborating with municipal authorities to launch programs aimed at generating economic activity to sustain businesses during this period.

"We are facing a complex situation," Lepes stated. "We are already working on several initiatives in coordination with the municipality. As a chamber, we are planning various ideas, including reactivating the 'Playa Espace' program, which we have discussed before. We intend to implement it during these two months to boost traffic across the Riviera Maya. The municipality has other activation plans, and we hope these efforts will provide the necessary economic spillover to withstand the low season."

Signs of Recovery in Restaurant Activity

Despite a challenging year, Lepes reported an uptick in restaurant sales based on feedback from affiliated businesses. This improvement suggests a gradual return of international visitors, which could help offset the decline in domestic tourism.

"We have seen a slight increase in sales, which is encouraging," he said. "During a recent meeting, we noted improvements. The domestic tourism market has declined somewhat, but we have observed a significant rise in international visitors—Americans, Canadians, South Americans, and Europeans—which has helped increase restaurant activity."

The chamber remains focused on ensuring businesses can weather the seasonal downturn while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the tourism sector.