Quintana Roo Tourism Official Cites U.S. Economic Crisis for Summer Slump

Quintana Roo — Tourist numbers in Quintana Roo fell across all destinations this summer, and a state tourism official says the U.S. economic crisis is largely to blame.

Xóchitl López Sansores, director of tourism product development at the state Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur), said promotional efforts at national and international travel fairs were not enough to avoid what she called a “tourism downturn.” The decline, she said, was not limited to one or two municipalities but affected every destination in the state.

“What’s happened in the world has affected us directly, despite all the efforts made and our participation in many trade shows and fairs,” López Sansores said. “That work is very important.”

The United States is Quintana Roo’s main source market, she noted, and its current economic crisis is among the main causes of the slowdown. She added that events such as the World Cup did not generate the tourism spending the industry had expected.

López Sansores said the next Ironman 70.3 race in Cozumel is expected to help the state emerge from the low season, according to forecasts.

To counter the slump, Sedetur plans to strengthen the state’s Pueblos Mágicos — towns recognized for their cultural or historical significance — following the five pillars of the National Strategy for Strengthening Pueblos Mágicos: sustainability, infrastructure, professionalization, promotion and commercialization.

The agency is also working on a community tourism route around Cozumel’s archaeological zone, offering local products and experiences to support the economy and encourage tourism diversification on the island and elsewhere.