Mandatory Days Off for Quintana Roo Hotel Staff Amid Tourism Downturn

Tourism business owners in Quintana Roo have started implementing mandatory days off for their workforce, due to lower than expected spending by visitors and hotel occupancy rates during the holiday period. This measure, known as "Solidaridad days", affects approximately 20% of the 300,000 workers in the Mexican Caribbean's tourism industry. The exact revenue generated by visitors during this period has not been disclosed, but it was reported to be $1.7 billion in the summer of 2023.

The Quintana Roo Tourism Ministry (Sedetur) has confirmed that this summer's tourist arrivals did not exceed last year's figures. While the specific revenue figures have not been released, the ministry is optimistic that the situation will improve in the winter season. Despite the current downturn, Quintana Roo remains a leading destination for foreign investment in Mexico's tourism industry. According to the Ministry of Tourism, it attracted 42.3% of the total investment in the sector in the second quarter of 2024, amounting to $820.2 million nationwide. With $346.7 million in investments, Quintana Roo outperformed other tourist states such as Baja California Sur and Baja California. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

However, these financial gains are not reflected in the earnings of the workers, particularly those in the hotel sector. Average salaries in this industry are around 7,300 pesos per month, according to Data Mexico. Workers have reported that several hotels in the beach zone have started implementing "Solidaridad days" since the beginning of August. In an effort to avoid layoffs, employees are required to take two to three unpaid days off every two weeks.

Labour law experts have pointed out that this practice is not recognized under the Federal Labour Law, and employees should not be forced to accept it. The Quintana Roo Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has encouraged workers to file complaints, but it is unclear if any have been filed or if any companies have been penalized. Despite these challenges, tourism industry workers are prepared to adjust their budgets over the next three months to cover their daily expenses at home, even with reductions in their bi-weekly pay and tips, which often make up to 50% of their income.