Quintana Roo Showcases Community Tourism at Tianguis Turístico

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo — The Mexican Caribbean brought one of the largest community tourism delegations to the Tianguis Turístico, with seven communities from the Maya Ka’an region seeking to tap into the growing market, which has become a key part of the federal tourism promotion strategy.

Zendy Euan Chan, director of Tourism for Felipe Carrillo Puerto, said that representatives from across Maya Ka’an are attending. “Before, at most two people would come; now we have a full delegation,” she said. The group includes cooperatives from Punta Allen, the Red Caminos Sagrados network, Community Tours Sian Ka’an, Xyaat, U Belilek, Kiichpam Kaax, the Ik Lu’um Community Tourism Network, and the municipality of José María Morelos.

On the first day, the delegation held a presentation featuring honey, embroidery, and other experiences offered by Maya Ka’an in the Community Tourism pavilion, which was set up for the first time at the event marking its 50th anniversary.

These community enterprises represent towns in the heart of Quintana Roo’s Maya zone, including Tihosuco, Señor, Chunyaxché, Sabán, and X Cabil.

Euan Chan emphasized that this is not just a presentation but part of a federal and state policy to boost community tourism as a relevant option within Mexico’s wide range of tourist experiences.

“People who rarely left their communities now have the opportunity to learn how to negotiate with agencies or tour operators, gain experience, and network with industry professionals they would hardly have met without this push for the segment,” she added.

The communities have established connections with specialized agencies in Germany, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, as well as with national companies that were unaware of the alternative offerings beyond the sun-and-beach tourism traditionally sold in Quintana Roo.

Quintana Roo’s participation at the Tianguis Turístico also included the launch of the Isla Mujeres Dive Guide, the World Capital of Vacations campaign, the Cozumel Mexican Boat Rodeo fishing tournament, and the Cozumel Half Ironman event.