Tulum hotels face crisis amid low occupancy and high costs

The tourism sector in Tulum is facing a significant crisis characterized by low occupancy rates and rising operational costs. David Ortiz Mena, president of the Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council and the Tulum Hotel Association, reported that occupancy in the Coastal Zone has dropped to approximately 15 percent, a decline of over 20 percent compared to 2024.

Several hotels have already closed, while others are considering switching to seasonal operations to avoid further losses. The industry is struggling with high costs related to sargassum removal, which can reach 500,000 pesos per week, alongside reduced airline seat availability and shifts in traveler behavior. Other contributing factors include competition from vacation rentals, mobility issues, and concerns regarding local services and security.

To mitigate the impact, industry leaders have called for support from development banks to restructure finances. Despite the current downturn, the hotel sector anticipates a recovery during the winter season, noting that reservations are already showing a positive trend.