Tulum Merchants Question Canaco’s Usefulness as Membership Declines

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The National Chamber of Commerce (Canaco) delegation in Tulum is facing growing criticism from local merchants who say the organization provides no tangible support despite requiring annual membership fees.

Rufino Hernandez Jimenez, leader of artisans at the Centro Artesanal Tulum and a former head of the Canaco delegation, said many small business owners no longer see value in belonging to the chamber.

“There’s no point in being part of Canaco when there’s no support,” Hernandez said. “Merchants pay an annual fee, and the next year they have to rejoin and pay again for supposed benefits that never materialize. We feel abandoned.”

Hernandez noted that during his tenure as delegation leader, the chamber ran membership drives, field outreach, and activities to support the commercial sector, including participation in national programs like El Buen Fin. But he said those efforts have since declined sharply.

None of the artisans at the Centro Artesanal Tulum are currently affiliated with Canaco, citing a lack of trust in the organization’s promised benefits.

Hernandez called on the state-level Canaco leadership in Chetumal to intervene and strengthen the Tulum delegation. He also urged tourism authorities at all three levels of government to take steps to boost visitor numbers, warning that many local businesses face worsening economic conditions if tourist activity continues to lag.

“Merchants expect greater participation and concrete results to restore confidence in the local business sector,” he said.