Once one of the most visited destinations in the world, Cancun is reportedly losing visitors at an accelerated rateThis is evident from data from ASUR, the airport management agency.
First things first: There’s nothing wrong with Cancun. The destination remains as breathtaking as you remember, with its turquoise waters, vibrant Caribbean culture and fantastic nightlife.
However, the launch of Tulum’s new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO) in December 2023 appears to have an impact on passenger traffic and the local tourism industry.
Over the year we have reported a steady decline in arrivals, but August has confirmed the trend.
Last month, only 2.3 million visitors passed through customs at Cancun International Airport (CUN). a significant decrease of 14.1 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
A closer look at the data shows a decline of 13.6 percent in international passengers and 14.8 percent in domestic arrivals in August alone.
In fact, between January and August, CUN saw 22.4 million passengers – a seemingly impressive figure, but one that represents it a visitor decline of 5.5 percent compared to the same months in 2023.
In July, CUN saw a 14.1 percent drop in passenger numbers compared to the same time frame in 2023.
In light of this downward trend, Quintana Roo’s Minister of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, acknowledged that the estimated numbers of tourists were not met, despite the destination being used to breaking tourism records month after month.
‘We are used to breaking records, but this was not the case this summer’ Cueto said.
Experts had predicted that something like this could happen, as a large number of travelers using Cancun airport services actually had Tulum as their final destination.
It doesn’t help that TQO, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “crown jewel,” has managed to attract most of the major U.S. and Canadian airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Air Canada . and WestJet, saving travelers a two-hour drive with new direct flights to the resort.
According to the local news station REPORTUR.mxlocal hoteliers go on to say so this phenomenon is also related to a kind of “fatigue” among Americans who have been visiting Mexico for many years in a row.
Furthermore, they believe that emerging competitors such as the Dominican Republic and other popular European hotspots are contributing to the decline in the arrival of US citizens to the region.
Why do so many travelers flock to Tulum?
Visitors to Tulum report that this destination offers a more intimate connection to the jungle and other natural wonders such as the famous cenotes, without sacrificing luxury and comfort.
Most appreciate its rich Mayan history, eco-friendly atmosphere, boutique hotels and trendy restaurants.
