Airbnb and Quintana Roo Team Up to Save Local Cuisine

Cancún, Quintana Roo — During the Second Extraordinary Session of the Quintana Roo Gastronomy Promotion Committee, held in coordination with Airbnb, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage and promoting regional identity. The committee called on Mexican-born men and women residing in the municipalities of Benito Juárez, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and José María Morelos to participate in an initiative aimed at recognizing and strengthening traditional culinary knowledge in the state.

Certification Program for Traditional Cooks

The initiative, supported by an Airbnb grant for certifying traditional cooks through the Conservatory of Mexican Gastronomic Culture (CCGM), seeks to preserve, recognize, and disseminate Quintana Roo’s culinary legacy. The program promotes the safeguarding of gastronomic heritage through certification processes that enhance its transmission, visibility, and sustainability.

The Quintana Roo Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030 identifies gastronomy as a key segment for diversifying the state’s tourism offerings. The plan emphasizes coordination between public, private, academic, and social sectors to improve competitiveness in this field. Through the Gastronomy Promotion Strategy, the state aims to foster employment, cultural pride, and local economic development by promoting culinary traditions, strengthening gastronomic identity, and creating a regional inventory of products, establishments, and traditional cooks.

Under the leadership of Governor Mara Lezama, gastronomy has become a cornerstone of tourism success, translating into shared prosperity for Quintana Roo residents.

Eligibility and Participation

The certification program required applicants to meet specific criteria, including:

• Being born in Quintana Roo
• Being between 18 and 65 years old at the time of registration
• Residing in one of the aforementioned municipalities
• Being a direct descendant of recognized traditional cooks
• Demonstrating a genuine interest in continuing family culinary traditions
• Having verifiable experience in preparing traditional regional dishes
• Fulfilling administrative requirements

Inclusion of Maya Ka’an Communities

The session highlighted the inclusion of individuals from the Ruta de Guerra de Castas in the Maya Ka’an destination. This initiative ensures that cooperatives along the route receive certification for their gastronomic experiences, enhancing service quality and strengthening the capacities of Maya Ka’an communities.

Bernardo Cueto, Secretary of Tourism, stated, “The accreditation of our traditional cooks in Quintana Roo is fundamental. They are key to consolidating our culinary identity and represent a development opportunity for our state’s communities.”

Expert Perspectives

Dr. Gloria López Morales, President of the CCGM, remarked, “Mexico is a melting pot of flavors, knowledge, traditions, and customs woven into a unique culture. Within this universe lies a vast community of women who carry our culinary heritage. In their hands, they hold ancient knowledge passed down through generations, keeping the country’s great cuisine alive today. This competency standard validates their expertise and supports them through a document issued by the Mexican government, opening doors to economic, labor, and social improvements.”

Sebastián Colín, Director of Public Policy for Airbnb Mexico, added, “At Airbnb, we know the best way to collaborate in diversifying tourism in the Mexican Caribbean is by opening doors to its people and cuisine. Data from CONCANACO shows that in Quintana Roo, local businesses receive 60% more customers thanks to direct recommendations from our hosts—far above the national average. Additionally, six out of ten small and medium-sized enterprises that grow by more than 10% in revenue cite Airbnb as their key channel for attracting visitors. These figures confirm that certifying traditional cooks not only preserves a unique culinary legacy but also stimulates the community economy and expands the reach of a sector that already accounts for 87% of the state’s GDP. Tourism can and should be an engine for inclusive and sustainable development.”

Commitment to Sustainable Growth

This initiative reinforces Quintana Roo’s commitment to sustainable development, cultural inclusion, and the dignification of its culinary roots, positioning the state as a leader in the professionalization of its gastronomic wealth.