Tulum Hoteliers See Year-End Recovery but Warn Against Coastal Raves

Tulum, Quintana Roo — David Ortiz Mena, president of the Tulum Hotel Association, expects hotel occupancy in Tulum to recover by the final months of the year, but he warned that large raves in the coastal zone could undermine the destination.

Ortiz Mena said Tulum is facing an unusually quiet period from September to November, with fewer airline seats available and higher fares. The problem also affects other Mexican beach resorts, including Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

“There are fewer seats and they cost more,” he said.

Occupancy Should Recover in November

He said he still expects a strong year-end season for Tulum and the Mexican Caribbean. Occupancy indicators should start improving in November, and the key will be making sure visitors have a good experience and the destination’s image stays strong, he added.

Ortiz Mena also welcomed the arrival of a recognized hotel brand in the coastal zone. The project will include 54 rooms and a beach club and is expected to host events and concerts by well-known artists.

“Bringing recognized artists, especially outside the high season, certainly helps us as a destination,” he said.

Raves on the Coast Carry Risks

But the hotel association president warned that mass events on the coast need to be managed with care because of the area’s fragile environment and limited mobility. He said organizers must comply with capacity limits, noise rules and other regulations, and must take into account congestion in the hotel zone.

Larger events, he said, should be held at venues that can accommodate them, preferably outside the coastal strip.

“Mass events in the coastal zone can affect us a lot. That should be avoided in any case,” he said.