Introduction to the Event and its Significance
Cancún, QROO. The upcoming Cancún Travel Mart, the most significant business meeting in the Mexican Caribbean, will kick off its 37th edition on Thursday, 23rd, launching the official campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The aim is to attract the largest number of football enthusiasts to Quintana Roo.
Key Players and Their Roles
Bernardo Cueto, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, revealed that the campaign will not only involve hosting two national teams in Quintana Roo hotels but also organizing fan festivals, a campaign, and vacation packages for fans who wish to experience the World Cup while staying in the Mexican Caribbean.
Rodrigo de la Peña, President of the Association of Hotels in Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres (AHCPMIM), confirmed that the campaign launch will be handled by state authorities following extensive efforts to capitalize on promotions and advertising strategies to attract the maximum volume of tourists, particularly from South America, now that there is an official date for the return of Brazilian e-visa in February 2026.
Anticipated Initiatives
Although not yet confirmed, the Mexican Caribbean anticipates hosting a FIFA-Fest to attract football fans, even without hosting any matches.
Recently, the hotels Mayakoba and Moon Palace in Cancún and Playa del Carmen were confirmed as official Base Camps for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning they will host two participating national teams.
Growth and Participation in Cancún Travel Mart
Liz Melo, Vice President of AHCPMIM, mentioned that since its resumption in 2021 after a pandemic-induced pause in 2020, the B2B industry gathering has shown remarkable growth. The number of buyer companies increased by 116.98%, while delegate numbers rose by 143.4%.
This year, the event is expected to have representatives from 20 countries, 164 participating companies, and 351 delegates.
In 2024, the Cancún Travel Mart reported 3,850 business meetings and over 4,950 million dollars in negotiations.
The event saw 276 buyers from 133 companies and 364 delegates, exhibitors, and suppliers from 128 companies.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Cancún Travel Mart? It’s a significant business-to-business (B2B) event in the Mexican Caribbean, crucial for the tourism industry.
- Who is Bernardo Cueto? He is the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, responsible for promoting tourism in the region.
- What is the campaign about? The campaign aims to attract football fans from around the world to Quintana Roo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- What are the anticipated initiatives? These include hosting national teams, organizing fan festivals, and creating vacation packages for football enthusiasts.
- What is the growth trend in Cancún Travel Mart? Since its resumption in 2021, the event has seen a substantial increase in participating companies and delegates.
