Employees Revolt: Unpaid Profits Protest in Cozumel

Workers from Best Day and Despegar in Cozumel have taken to the streets in protest, claiming they have not received their share of profits, despite the company's record earnings. Despegar, a travel agency with 25 years in the tourism sector, has dominated the Latin American market through acquisitions of companies such as Best Day, Hotel DO, BD Experience, Viajes Falabella, Koin, Viaja Net, and Stays.net.

The conglomerate serves over 29 million customers and has consistently posted record revenue figures. In 2023, the company's revenues were estimated at a staggering 700 million dollars, driven by high demand for its tourism services and products. The company has been aggressively expanding in Latin America, with 15 physical stores opened in Brazil and Argentina.

By March 2024, Despegar reported record revenues of 203.7 million dollars for the third consecutive quarter, representing a 40 percent year-on-year growth. Gross bookings were up by 44 percent from the previous year, totaling 1.5 million dollars.

However, in a contrasting statement, the company informed its workers via email that they will not be receiving their share of the profits. The employees, working under the legal entity "Transporturist S.A de C.V" (a merger between Despegar and Bestday), were told they would receive a "special bonus" instead, as the company claimed it did not make fiscal profits in 2023.

The email read, "In line with the spirit of maintaining internal equity and market competitiveness, all individuals under the legal name 'Transporturist S.A de C.V' will be receiving a special bonus, with the purpose of equating the PTU (Workers Profit Participation) payment, as the legal entity did not make fiscal profits in 2023."

This announcement has sparked outrage among the workers in Cozumel. They are demanding fair profits and improved working conditions, expressing frustration over daily workplace harassment and reprisals.