Armed with shovels and wheelbarrows, municipal staff from Tulum, Mexico, had been deployed to the resort town’s famed seashores in June, tasked with eradicating massive portions of sargassum that had piled up to cowl the crystal-clear waters.
By that time within the yr, authorities stated they’d collected 1,900 tons of the pesky seaweed, greater than the 1,300 tons collected in all of 2024.
Local officers and lodge homeowners have advised NCS that the quantity of sargassum this yr is the most important they’ve seen since 2018 – a problem that has contributed to a decrease flow of tourists this yr.
But the seaweed isn’t the one downside going through Tulum, a town in Yucatán Peninsula famend for its idyllic coastlines and archaeological wonders. Other elements, such because the shaky US economy, native insecurity and the administration of seashores, are additionally impacting tourism at this Caribbean vacation spot, a favourite amongst Americans.
Tulum had fewer vacationers this summer season than in 2024, in accordance to official figures and business leaders.
During the week of August 16-22 this yr, lodge occupancy was 53.3%, and the week of September 6-12 was even decrease, dropping to 48.1%, in accordance to the tourism secretariat of Quintana Roo state.
David Ortiz Mena, president of the Tulum Hotel Association, advised NCS that the figures for this era are about 4 proportion factors decrease than these of 2024. He, nevertheless, rejected the notion that the scenario is essential, arguing that summer season isn’t the realm’s peak season and that tourism begins to enhance because the yr comes to an finish.
Ortiz Mena stated he believes the principle purpose behind the summer season droop was the financial uncertainty within the United States, which accounts for about 60% of Tulum’s vacationers.
According to the businessman, inflation within the US, modifications in rates of interest and even the latest 43-day authorities shutdown – which paused funds to many federal staff – compelled Americans to restrict their holidays.
But there are already indicators of “a clear recovery,” he stated.
Hotel occupancy was 59.8% within the week of October 18-24 and reached 69.1% within the week of November 1-7, in accordance to the latest knowledge from the state tourism secretariat.
“Tulum remains a great destination. It has a wide range of tourist attractions. Unfortunately, the negative aspects are emphasized, making it difficult to convey the positive,” stated Ortiz Mena.
His views had been shared by Eliazar Mas Kinil, Tulum City Council member with a concentrate on tourism, business, commerce and agricultural affairs.
“The United States is our neighbor. So, everything that happens in the United States impacts us,” Mas Kinil advised NCS. “In the end, I think American citizens are careful with their resources.” Tulum could have “a much higher season” in December and January, he predicted.
To entice extra American vacationers, officers are additionally working to enhance public security, a problem that reached a boiling level in March when native Secretary of Security José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista was killed in an armed assault.
The US State Department nonetheless maintains a Level 2 journey advisory – out of potential 4 – for all of Quintana Roo. This signifies that Americans are urged to train elevated warning when visiting the state.
Hazael Cerón, coordinator of the Center for Tourism Research and Competitiveness at Anáhuac University, stated he believes the principle problem is to strategically plan Tulum’s improvement. He stated the town skilled “a boom” after the Covid-19 pandemic and was boosted by latest public works tasks such a brand new worldwide airport and the Tren Maya, a big rail system connecting 5 states within the Yucatán Peninsula.
According to Cerón, Tulum’s authorities and enterprise homeowners should work with lecturers to analyze journey tendencies, spend money on each lodge and city infrastructure, monitor the standard of companies and stop extreme prices for vacationers.
“Tulum is an example we must protect. In fact, I think it will be an experiment for other traditional destinations that are also falling behind, like Acapulco or Mazatlán,” he stated.
Councilman Mas Kinil acknowledged that strategic planning, establishing clear guidelines on points similar to seashore entry, and enhancing tourist companies are key features for Tulum’s future.
“We, the public servants in tourism, the operators, the guides, the taxi drivers, the people, we also need to reflect on the fact that we have to provide better service to our tourists … so that they return to Tulum,” he stated.
Mas Kinil recalled that the latest institution of a pure reserve resulted in new restrictions that now stop vacationers from coming into some seashores with disposable objects like plastic bottles and straws.
He stated entry to the seashores continues to be free for Mexicans and foreigners, and that authorities are working to higher clarify the principles that intention to defend the surroundings.
Officials and enterprise leaders count on lodge occupancy to develop towards the tip of the yr and the start of the following one. They additionally see the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the US and Canada, as a possibility for Tulum to obtain extra guests.
Although Tulum won’t be one of many match’s host cities, the tourism sector is assured that the resort town, or others within the Mexican Caribbean, can entice foreigners touring to the nation for the video games.
Ortiz Mena famous that Tulum has 10,800 lodge rooms, starting from luxurious suites to hostels priced between $20 and $22 an evening.
“It is very likely that this will contribute to the Mexican Caribbean, that people will take advantage of the extensive hotel infrastructure and the excellent connectivity, and this is estimated to mean 1 million more travelers for the Mexican Caribbean in 2026,” he stated.
Cerón, the researcher, stated that whereas room costs have remained steady, taxi fares and different prices have a tendency to be excessive, together with the worth of coconut, which some companies promote for up to 200 pesos, about $10.50.
“Suddenly we see the basket of golden eggs and want to milk it dry, and that’s what happened,” he stated.