Riviera Maya hospitality sector developments

The hospitality sector in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is experiencing contrasting shifts in occupancy, labor, and business models.

In September 2026, hotel occupancy in Playa del Carmen dropped to 48.5%, triggering significant layoffs. Former employees reported that hotels are reducing payrolls and dismissing long-term staff in favor of newer workers, with some alleging management has threatened to blacklist those who speak publicly about the dismissals. Workers noted that while low seasons are common, the current downturn is “unprecedented.”

In contrast, other segments of the regional industry are expanding or restructuring. The Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya transitioned to a fully all-inclusive model on October 1, 2026, and is scheduled to become an adults-only resort in January 2027. Regional occupancy figures for the period of January to July 2026 were reported at 70.71%, supported by large-scale infrastructure projects such as a US$700 million hotel expansion completed in mid-2025.