Quintana Roo Bets on Diving, Gastronomy and Air Connectivity to Revive Tourism Growth in 2027

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo will push to strengthen its tourism industry in 2027 by diversifying its products, opening new international markets and expanding air connectivity, after a year that has proven difficult for several destinations across the state, Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra said.

Speaking to Radio Fórmula, Cueto said external conditions have limited the sector’s growth and forced officials to rethink promotion and competitiveness strategies.

Diving pushed as a strategic product

Among recent initiatives, Cueto highlighted the second edition of the Official Dive Guide of the Mexican Caribbean, a publication that compiles the diving offerings available in Quintana Roo’s destinations, particularly those involving caves, caverns and cenotes.

According to the secretary, roughly 600,000 tourists visit the state each year specifically to dive, a segment officials want to expand beyond the traditional sun-and-beach offering.

The guide was first presented in Quintana Roo with the participation of specialized operators, dive schools and ejidos involved in the activity. The state delegation then took the publication to the DEMA Show in New Orleans, one of the diving industry’s largest international gatherings.

Cueto said the event brings together professionals, companies and representatives from a range of markets, making it an opportunity to promote the Mexican Caribbean’s underwater attractions and build business contacts.

The goal, he said, is to position diving experiences as a strategic tourism product, especially given the region’s cave and cenote systems, which set the destination apart from competitors.

Traditional cuisine in Tulum

Officials also announced the first Gathering of Traditional Cooks of Quintana Roo, scheduled for November 21 and 22 at Parque del Jaguar in Tulum.

Cueto said it will be the state’s first event of its kind and is intended to raise the profile of traditional cuisine as part of Quintana Roo’s tourism and cultural offerings.

He noted that his administration carried out the state’s first certification process for traditional cooks, recognizing those who preserve culinary knowledge tied to local communities and regional traditions.

The gathering will feature tastings and activities linked to community and culinary tourism.

Tulum was chosen as the venue, Cueto said, because it already has a consolidated dining scene. He noted that the destination has eight restaurants included in the Michelin Guide, allowing traditional cooking to be linked with visitors seeking culinary experiences.

Business concerns and the London trade fair

In parallel, the Tourism Department met with representatives of Canirac, the national restaurant industry chamber, and Coparmex, the employers’ confederation, to review conditions facing the sector and its outlook for the coming months.

Cueto acknowledged that 2026 has been a complex year and that various external factors have hurt performance at tourism destinations, though he did not specify losses or growth indicators.

He said the meetings were aimed at hearing business owners’ concerns and reviewing policies developed by the state agency. He acknowledged that work remains pending among federal, state and municipal authorities, and stressed the need to maintain coordination with the private sector to improve the visitor experience and preserve the region’s competitiveness.

As part of its international agenda, Quintana Roo will take part in the World Travel Market in London, one of the tourism industry’s leading trade fairs, where it will promote its 12 destinations and hold meetings with airlines, tour operators and commercial partners.

Cueto said the United Kingdom is a particularly important market, accounting for about 500,000 visitors a year, making the preservation and expansion of that demand a priority for 2027.

Meetings are planned with companies including TUI, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well as Aer Lingus, Iberojet and World2Fly, among others that operate routes to Quintana Roo.

The secretary also said the state will seek to strengthen ties with the World Travel & Tourism Council to analyze how the industry performed in 2026 and build alliances for the year ahead.

Air connectivity will be a central theme, since international visitor numbers depend heavily on flight availability, frequencies and airlines’ capacity to maintain operations.

On infrastructure, Cueto said the international promotion effort will include a new communications concept showcasing modernization projects, airport expansions, new hotel complexes and mobility works under development in Quintana Roo.