Tulum Hotels Start Summer With Low Occupancy, World Cup Boost Fails to Materialize
Tulum, Quintana Roo — Hotel occupancy in Tulum remains well below previous years, with the recent World Cup period failing to boost visitor numbers to the Riviera Maya, according to industry representatives.
Claudio Cortés, the CROC commissioner in Tulum, said most hotels closed June with occupancy rates between 20% and 25% on weekdays and only 30% on weekends. The expected surge from the international soccer tournament did not materialize.
“We didn’t see that benefit. Most hotels are at 20% to 25% occupancy; on weekends we reach 30% and then it drops again. There was no growth as expected,” Cortés said.
Summer vacation projections are also lower than in previous years. While occupancy of around 80% was common in past years, estimates for the first week of July range from 45% to 50%, with hopes of reaching 50% to 60% later in the month.
Looking ahead, the tourism sector expects a gradual recovery starting in the winter season. Forecasts suggest November could mark a turning point, with occupancy exceeding 60%, which would improve hotel performance in the final months of the year.
Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx
