Quintana Roo to Intensify Tourism Promotion at Travel Fairs Ahead of Low Season

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo’s tourism department will step up promotion of the state’s main destinations at upcoming travel fairs in an effort to draw visitors during the traditionally slow months of September and October.

Bernardo Cueto Riestra, head of the state Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur), acknowledged that summer visitor numbers fell short of expectations and said the state would now concentrate on national and international events where it can reach wholesalers and travel agencies.

“The decline in tourism we received in July and these first weeks of August is already being felt, and we are moving into months when many children go back to school and which are usually very complicated,” Cueto said. “This year in particular, because of different circumstances, will be challenging, but we are convinced the Mexican Caribbean will continue to be a preferred destination even in these months. We will take part in tourism fairs and reinforce our strategies to help occupancy in September and October.”

Hotel occupancy in Quintana Roo remained above 70% overall, with roughly 400,000 tourists visiting the state’s main destinations during the summer, according to Sedetur. Cueto said the state will now strengthen campaigns aimed at meetings, conventions and incentive travel, a segment where Quintana Roo is a national leader and which accounts for a significant share of economic activity.

“The Mexican Caribbean receives tourists practically 365 days a year by offering unforgettable experiences, and like every destination it has its good months and its bad months,” he said. “What we are seeking is to strengthen our destinations so that not only in high season but also in low season they can have a good level of occupancy and meaningful activity. This is also a time to improve capacities, for hotels to remodel and for service providers to train.”

Cueto added that the measures, developed in coordination with hotel associations, are intended to ensure stronger demand for overnight stays during the year-end holiday period and the winter season.