Quintana Roo Tourism Master Plan Shifts From Sustainability to Regeneration at 18% Completion

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo has completed more than 18 percent of the actions laid out in its Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism through 2050, and officials say the strategy will now widen its focus from sustainability to a model of regenerative and responsible tourism.

Andrés Aguilar, deputy tourism secretary at the state Tourism Department (Sedetur), said this year’s update of the plan allows the state to move toward regenerative and responsible models because sustainability alone is no longer enough.

The review carried out for the update found that 18 percent of the originally planned actions had been completed. Work now continues to broaden the concept of sustainability into regeneration.

Beyond Reducing Impact

According to those responsible for the update, the new approach means not only reducing the environmental impact of tourism but actively intervening in areas already affected and creating better social conditions for communities and tourism workers — a factor officials described as decisive.

On the environmental side, the plan sets goals for resilient infrastructure, restoration of coastal dunes, efficiency in water and energy consumption, and actions tied to compliance with international commitments on climate change.

Cancún, as part of the Glasgow Declaration, is incorporating the regenerative approach along with the social component.

Worker Conditions a Priority

Among the priorities is progress toward more dignified working conditions for people employed in the tourism industry, including fairer working hours, better incomes and adequate conditions in housing, recreation and wellbeing.

The plan projects tourism growth through 2050 based on forecasts tied to global economic growth, gross domestic product performance and the expansion of the middle classes.

Under the scenario considered most likely — economic growth of 1.3 percent — Cancún could receive around 50 million tourists in 2050.

Growth Brings Pressure on Infrastructure

The projections also draw on Cancún’s own history. In roughly 24 to 25 years the destination multiplied its tourism growth several times over and has sustained expansion above that of the broader economy.

That growth, however, also poses challenges for infrastructure, services, natural resources and the capacity to handle visitors, so the new master plan aims to establish mechanisms that allow tourism expansion to proceed in an orderly way.

The projections, presented in September, need continuity, Aguilar said. He noted that work has gone into regulations, legislation and political will to ensure that continuity across upcoming changes of administration, and said next year will be decisive for continuing progress toward more sustainable destinations with a regenerative approach.