QUINTANA ROO, Mexico – The Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, recently faced questioning regarding a perceived downturn in the state’s tourism industry, offering a defense of the current administration’s performance while grappling with inconsistent figures and external economic pressures.
During a session before the state legislature, Cueto Riestra addressed criticisms regarding a drop in tourist arrivals. While he claimed that the government of Mara Lezama has “broken records” in tourism, he acknowledged that from January to August 2026, the state recorded 13.2 million tourists—a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year.
Economic Hurdles and Global Pressures
The Secretary attributed the slowdown to several “multifactorial” challenges. He highlighted a significant drop in arrivals from the United States and other international markets due to the soaring costs of jet fuel (turbosina), driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“No airline broke during the pandemic, but in these circumstances, several airlines have gone bankrupt, and others are on the brink due to fuel costs, which have increased by 100%,” Cueto stated, arguing that these global factors have made international travel significantly more expensive for tourists.
He also pointed to the ongoing environmental challenges, specifically the arrival of sargassum (macroalgae) on the Caribbean coast. The state has launched an aggressive agenda to manage the seaweed, which has impacted beach quality and visitor experience.
Controversial Figures and Disputed Investments
During the session, a discrepancy emerged regarding the promotion of the state’s cruise ship destinations. Cueto initially claimed that the state had secured “6,487 articles with a promotional value of $7 million” in international media. However, when pressed for clarification, he retracted the specific figure, clarifying that it represented the valuation of the media coverage rather than the actual amount of capital invested.
Furthermore, he defended the allocation of funds for tourism infrastructure. He noted that while the state is focused on the southern regions, the investment figures provided during the session were sometimes inconsistent, leading to questions about the actual distribution of resources across different tourism zones.
Tourism Outlook for 2026
Despite the current “contraction” in tourism activity, Cueto expressed optimism for the upcoming winter season. He stated that while the state has seen a decrease of 400,000 tourists compared to 2025, the goal is to reach 19 million visitors by the end of 2026.
The Secretary concluded by emphasizing that while the current economic climate is complex, the state remains committed to promoting its destinations, even as it navigates the challenges of rising costs, environmental issues, and a shifting global travel landscape.
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