Cancun, Quintana Roo — For decades, securing a unionized position at a hotel or government agency was the ultimate goal for Mexican workers, offering stability, benefits, and a guaranteed pension. But that reality is shifting as millennials and centennials in this tourism-driven state increasingly reject traditional employment in favor of freelance work, citing a desire for flexibility, mental health, and work-life balance.
In Quintana Roo, where tourism fuels the economy and provides thousands of jobs in hotels, restaurants, and services, young people are turning to independent photography, ride-hailing, content creation, consulting, and online sales. The change is not always about salary; many cite long hours, split shifts, difficulty balancing personal life, and limited growth opportunities as reasons for their discontent.
Tourism No Longer the Dream Job
Working at a hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya was once considered a career success. But for some young people, that perception has changed.
“My uncle has been a union delegate at a hotel in Cancun’s Hotel Zone for 20 years. He kept pushing me to get a steady waiter job to build seniority. I worked there for three months and hated it: split shifts, tips controlled by the committee, and having to attend political marches on my days off. I quit. Now I rent myself out as a freelance photographer for weddings and drive for ride-hailing apps. I work the hours I want, I don’t answer to any union leader, and if I earn less one week, it’s on me,” said Alan Bernal, 24.
His story reflects a growing trend in the Mexican Caribbean: for many young workers, traditional stability is no longer the top priority.
Well-Being Comes First
Yasmin Campos Cohuo, a business consultant and president of the Cancun Sales and Marketing Executives Association, says this shift is part of a global transformation driven by the digital economy.
“The world changed, and few people realized a digital era with an accelerated economy was coming. The big challenge is adapting to the needs that will always prevail: belonging and socialization,” she said.
Campos explained that younger generations view job stability differently. “They have shown they value autonomy and freedom over apparent job stability. Stability is what allows us to have emotional and financial balance and comprehensive development.”
She noted that many companies still struggle to meet these new expectations. “Many jobs still don’t offer the pay ranges young people want. They see online that with a camera and a phone microphone, it’s possible to generate millions of pesos or even dollars.”
Companies will need to transform their hiring, training, and retention strategies, she added. “Mass communication has evolved very quickly, and companies are just beginning to understand they must change their recruitment and induction processes to offer emotional, financial, and developmental satisfaction.”
Mental Health Gains Weight in Career Decisions
Sandybel Robaldino, a mental health specialist, said the change in work preferences does not reflect a lack of commitment but a new understanding of well-being.
“The shift in young people’s work priorities doesn’t necessarily reflect a lack of commitment to work, but a transformation in how they understand well-being,” she said.
She explained that issues like anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and burnout have raised awareness about the consequences of excessive work hours and unhealthy environments. “Choosing jobs with more flexibility can be seen as a strategy for self-care and preventing psychological wear.”
Robaldino noted that younger generations grew up watching more unstable labor markets, high living costs, and lower expectations of long-term security from a single job. However, she warned that flexibility also carries risks. “Prioritizing mental health should not mean giving up economic security. Informality, lack of social security, and no retirement plan can become sources of stress and vulnerability over time.”
Young People Do Want to Work
The idea that younger generations don’t want to work contrasts with reality at job fairs in Benito Juarez. Luis Enrique Hernandez, director of the Municipal Labor Linkage Service, said young people remain a key group seeking employment.
“Forty-five percent of people who attend job fairs are between 18 and 29 years old, and about 10 percent are looking for their first job,” he said.
During holiday seasons, temporary jobs in hotels and tourism businesses increase, offering opportunities for students and young people seeking experience or extra income. The numbers show that youth do want to work; what is changing are the conditions they are willing to accept.
Unions Face New Challenges
The shift also affects unions. Although the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration lists active unions in Quintana Roo representing hotels, restaurants, construction, commerce, and services, younger generations show less interest in joining them. Common criticisms include bureaucratic processes, seniority over new skills, and a lack of schemes that respond to current needs for professional growth and flexibility.
The Challenge for Tourism and Businesses
Quintana Roo’s tourism industry faces one of its biggest challenges in the coming years: attracting and retaining young talent. Offering a steady position or benefits is no longer enough. Experts agree that better salaries, real growth opportunities, flexible hours, ongoing training, and work environments that consider mental health will be necessary.
The change has already begun. Young people do want to work, but they are sending a clear message: professional success is no longer measured solely by staying with one company for decades. Today, it also means building a career without sacrificing well-being, mental health, and quality of life.
