Quintana Roo’s Strategy for FIFA World Cup 2026 Tourism

Quintana Roo Aims to Capture Significant Share of FIFA World Cup 2026 Tourism

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo is preparing with enthusiasm to take advantage of the enormous tourist flow that will be generated by the FIFA World Cup 2026. Mexico projects receiving approximately 5.5 million additional visitors, with an estimated economic spillover between $1.5 and $3 billion, and the state wants to secure a decisive portion of that market.

Bernardo Cueto Riestra, head of the state’s Tourism Secretariat, advanced that expectations for the end of the year are already positive, with the possibility of reaching figures close to 20 million tourists again. He highlighted that the World Cup opens a strategic window to position the Mexican Caribbean among the preferred destinations for fans traveling to the country.

Tourism authorities seek to position the Mexican Caribbean as a strategic destination during the World Cup. “We are expecting that many of the fans who come to enjoy the Cup will arrive through Quintana Roo, stay in Quintana Roo, and enjoy Quintana Roo,” he stated.

He added that, although it has not yet been confirmed which national teams could concentrate in the state, several federations are already analyzing the basecamps approved by FIFA in Quintana Roo territory.

Due to its geographical proximity to host cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey — in addition to international hubs like Miami, Houston, and Atlanta — the Mexican Caribbean is emerging as a strategic point to receive groups and teams seeking to train or rest during the tournament.

Businesspeople and authorities are already working on tourism products for World Cup visitors. For her part, Deputy Euterpe Gutiérrez Valasis, president of the Tourism Commission, reported that work tables have already been established with businesspeople and tour operators from the north of the state to begin promoting the destination through the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ).

She explained that specific programs and products are being designed so that World Cup visitors tour various tourist areas of the state and do not remain solely in hotels.

“What we seek is to generate attractions in different points so that they move, visit, and expand the economic spillover,” she indicated.

International air connectivity will be key to attracting tourists and teams to the state. Gutiérrez Valasis also highlighted that Quintana Roo has robust international air connectivity, which will allow attracting not only fans but also teams, work groups, and families who will travel during the tournament. She emphasized that the policy of Governor Mara Lezama has driven constant work to expand routes and alliances with airlines from different countries.