Background and Relevance
Quintana Roo, a Mexican state renowned for its popular tourist destinations like Cancun, has experienced a significant decline in Colombian visitors. Historically, Colombia has been one of the top four sources of tourists for Quintana Roo, contributing substantially to its tourism industry. However, recent trends show a drastic downturn in Colombian arrivals.
Decline in Colombian Tourists
Statistical Overview:
- In 2022, Cancun welcomed 417,128 Colombian tourists, making it the fourth-largest market.
- By 2023, this number dropped to 336,016, a 19.4% decrease.
- In 2024, only 235,819 Colombians visited Quintana Roo, a 43.4% decline from 2022 to 2024.
- As of May 2025, Colombia has fallen to the ninth-largest market, the lowest since pre-pandemic levels.
Perspectives from Industry Leaders:
- Ana Kiseleva, vice president of the Association of Touristic Vacational Complexes, emphasizes the need to halt the decline in Colombian visitors.
- Jesús Almaguer Salazar, former president of Cancun’s hotel association, reports ongoing mistreatment of Colombian tourists despite training efforts for migration filters at Cancun International Airport.
Government Response and Impact
The Quintana Roo Tourism Secretariat has acknowledged a reduction in rejected arrivals at Cancun Airport. However, these efforts have yet to translate into an increase in Colombian tourists.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is the decline in Colombian tourists concerning? A: Colombia has historically been a crucial market for Quintana Roo, contributing significantly to its tourism industry. The current decline threatens this vital source of visitors and revenue.
- Q: What measures have been taken to address this issue? A: Efforts include training migration filter agents at Cancun International Airport and reducing the number of rejected Colombian arrivals. Yet, these actions have not resulted in an increase of Colombian tourists.
- Q: How has this decline affected Quintana Roo’s tourism industry? A: The decline has pushed Colombia from being one of the top four markets to the ninth, impacting Quintana Roo’s tourism industry and its reliance on international visitors.
The ongoing struggle to reverse this trend highlights the importance of Colombian tourists for Quintana Roo’s thriving tourism sector. As the region navigates this challenge, it remains crucial to understand and address the underlying factors contributing to this decline.
