Tulum Hotel Association Raises Concerns Over Large-Scale Events

The Tulum Hotel Association has voiced concerns over large-scale events, including electronic music festivals, being held in the coastal area. They argue that such events often clash with the desired development model for the tourist destination. David Ortiz Mena, president of the association, highlighted that some guests complained about the noise from the Zamna Festival. He suggested that it's crucial to reconsider whether these activities align with the tourism development model envisioned for Tulum.

"We believe these events exceed our capacity in this part of the coast and aren't compatible with family and other forms of tourism. We should definitely reflect on hosting mass events in Tulum's coastal area," Mena stated.

Mena acknowledged that the current municipal administration has made substantial progress. They have imposed restrictions on event schedules, which has improved the state of the coastal zone. Unlike Cancún, Tulum is not a fully planned destination. The coastal area's infrastructure is limited, and large events can cause significant traffic and leave the town unprepared for emergencies. Mena noted that the lack of sufficient emergency infrastructure led to numerous complaints from guests during the festival.

However, Mena clarified that the association is not outrightly against these festivals. Instead, they invite further reflection on the matter and a reconsideration of their location and future planning. "These events should not take place in the coastal area, neither during the day nor at night. While they might bring an economic boost, they can also lead to unfortunate incidents," Mena added.

Mena also pointed out that Tulum has nearly 10,000 hotel rooms, while the festival attracted tens of thousands of attendees. This far exceeds the accommodation and infrastructure capacity of the tourist destination.