Tulum’s Tourism Crisis: Only 20% Activity in High Season

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The summer vacation period, considered the "high season" for the tourism sector, concluded with only 20% activity for tourist guides in Tulum, raising alarm among workers who depend on this service.

According to Hugo Villagómez Villalobos, a guide at the archaeological zone, the low influx of visitors has directly impacted employment.

"Out of six or seven guides who come to work, on a normal day only two or a maximum of three people get hired," he explained.

Global Crisis and Local Effects

Villagómez stated that this phenomenon is not exclusive to Tulum but is part of a global tourism crisis.

"Las Vegas is deserted, Paris has seen its numbers drop, and the same is happening in France and Spain. The economic situation and international conflicts have impacted tourism in general," he commented.

In light of this, he proposed that Mexico diversify its tourism promotion towards emerging markets, instead of depending solely on international fairs in Germany, France, Spain, or the United States.

The Challenge of Jaguar Park and Pricing

While he acknowledged that the Jaguar Park has improved security and cleanliness in the area, he warned that access costs are an obstacle. He recounted the case of a Spanish family that decided not to enter after learning they would have to pay more than 500 pesos per person, opting instead to visit Chichén Itzá.

Furthermore, he questioned the exorbitant accommodation rates in Tulum, where some hotels charge up to 120,000 pesos per night, and other more basic ones reach 30,000 pesos, even without basic services like air conditioning or a shower.

"That concept worked in another era, but today's public is different. We cannot compete with such excessive rates when prices are dropping in other destinations," he warned.

Need for Government Intervention

The guide recalled that the development of Cancun in the 1970s was built on affordable rates that attracted international visitors in a favorable context for the Caribbean. However, Tulum's reality demands a change of strategy.

"The standard of living in Tulum is declining and the government should intervene to guarantee not only fairer rates but also quality in the services offered. Today there are many complaints about what is provided to the visitor, and if we don't address that, it will be increasingly difficult to sustain ourselves as a destination," he concluded.