Tourist Park Occupancy Drops Over 10% in Mexican Caribbean, Delphinus CEO Says

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Occupancy at tourist parks and tours in the Mexican Caribbean, including Delphinus, has fallen by more than 10%, a decline the company’s CEO attributes to external factors rather than new wildlife regulations.

Rodrigo Constandse, director general of Delphinus, said the destination overall is about 4% below last year’s levels, while his company is seeing a double-digit drop. “We’re trying to understand the phenomenon; it seems to have a lot to do with hotels that include everything,” he said.

The trend has been felt strongly since January, affecting the profitability of excursions as tourists appear to prefer staying at their hotels during their visit. Constandse cited factors such as tourists’ fear of leaving hotel grounds and marketing campaigns for areas like Playa Mujeres and Puerto Morelos that focus exclusively on on-site experiences.

The situation is compounded by the economic recession in the United States and an exchange rate that weakens the dollar, making additional services more expensive for North American visitors.

Regarding the implementation of the General Wildlife Law, which has banned the breeding of animals under human care since last June, Constandse confirmed that the measure is now in effect at all Delphinus parks. The law requires separating males and females or medicating animals to prevent pregnancies, which he said impacts the animals’ social well-being and the stability of their groups.

He noted that traditional swim-with-dolphins programs continue without significant changes, but the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the law — which was supposed to be published months ago — creates uncertainty about how to handle offspring from unwanted pregnancies and the long-term stability of the animals.

Constandse emphasized that the sector is betting on renewing its offerings for repeat tourists, who now account for 50% of visitors to destinations like Cancún. Despite the challenging legislative and economic environment, environmental education activities and connection with animals remain the core focus of these parks.