Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, recently highlighted the positive outlook for the Mexican Caribbean's tourism sector. Despite potential challenges such as a reduction in domestic flights, seaweed influxes, and visa issues, he believes the region could even see record-breaking numbers. He did, however, stress the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared.

Although May has brought some challenges following the year's initial high season, hotel occupancy across all Mexican Caribbean destinations remains robust, averaging around 72%. Riestra explained that a drop in occupancy is expected after the busy Easter week, which brought in a significant number of visitors.

In a recent radio interview, Riestra shared positive news about the expansion of air connections, particularly benefiting the region's international airports. He highlighted the growth in the North American and Canadian markets, which have seen increases of 25% and over 20% respectively. However, he also noted a 16.8% decrease in domestic passengers due to reduced seating capacity following aircraft reviews by Mexican airlines. Despite these challenges, he praised the airlines' efforts to maintain operational routes.

Concerning the expected large influx of seaweed, known as sargasso, Riestra assured that joint strategies are in place with the State Environment Secretariat and private sector representatives. These strategies aim to clean the beaches and minimize any negative impact on tourists' experiences. He also discussed the importance of dolphin parks to the region's economy and emphasized the commitment to environmental respect and legal compliance in these areas.

Looking ahead, Riestra anticipates an increase in occupancy by the end of June, with a significant rise expected in July and August, particularly due to European tourism. He concluded by reiterating the commitment to collaboration within the tourism sector to address any challenges and continue to position the Mexican Caribbean as a top global destination.