Cancun Hoteliers Moderate Summer Tourism Expectations Amid Sargasso Concerns

Web Editor

July 22, 2025

a group of people walking along a beach next to the ocean with buildings in the background and a few

Background on Key Figures and Relevance

Rodrigo de la Peña, the leader of hotel associations in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s tourism outlook. As Quintana Roo aims to attract 2.2 million tourists over the next five weeks across its 11 destinations, de la Peña’s insights provide valuable context for understanding the current state of the industry.

Current Situation and Challenges

As the summer high season begins, hotel occupancy in Cancun remains below 80%. The reduction in air routes to Cancún and the persistent issue of sargasso seaweed have caused hotelier confidence in summer results to waver.

Sargasso Concerns and Cancellations

De la Peña acknowledges that the upcoming summer season is expected to fall short of 2024’s occupancy rates, projecting a range between 79-80%. He emphasizes that while this is not an unfavorable outcome, it won’t reach the 82% achieved last year.

The hotel leader has noted isolated cases of cancellations due to sargasso concerns, with some hotels like Hard Rock experiencing 10-20 cancellations in the past month, and others such as Dreams Vista and Grand Oasis reporting 3-6 cancellations. Meanwhile, Puerto Morelos has seen no cancellations, and Cancun has experienced only 4-5 early departures.

De la Peña insists that these instances are not representative of the overall tourist perception, as many visitors remain oblivious to sargasso on beaches, focusing instead on hotel amenities like swimming pools.

Promoting Cancun’s Attractions

To counteract potential negative impacts from sargasso concerns, hotel associations are implementing positive marketing campaigns in target markets. These campaigns highlight Cancun’s diverse offerings beyond sun and beaches, such as the best swimming pool, spa, or restaurant in the destination.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the current occupancy rate in Cancun during the summer high season? Occupancy rates are currently below 80%.
  • What challenges is the tourism industry facing in Cancun this summer? Reduced air routes and sargasso seaweed concerns have led to moderated expectations.
  • How many tourists is Quintana Roo aiming to attract this summer? The region aims to welcome 2.2 million tourists across its 11 destinations in the next five weeks.
  • What is Rodrigo de la Peña’s projection for summer occupancy rates? De la Peña expects occupancy to range between 79-80%, which, while not unfavorable, won’t reach the 82% of last year.
  • What measures are being taken to address sargasso concerns? Hotel associations are promoting Cancun’s diverse attractions through positive marketing campaigns in target markets.