Cancun Hotels Unfazed by Tulum Airport’s Impact on Tourists

TULUM, Mexico – As the construction of the Tulum terminal, overseen by the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), advances, projections of reduced tourist numbers at the Cancun International Airport have surfaced. Nevertheless, local hoteliers dismiss this possibility, highlighting the distinct market dynamics of each location and the potential logistical burdens on airlines.

“In collaboration with ASUR, we’ve thoroughly examined this issue, and I can confidently state that it isn’t economically advantageous for airlines to divide their routes. For instance, a flight from Houston to Cancun combined with another to Tulum would entail doubled operational costs. When you factor in terrestrial costs, which are notably high—comprising counters, personnel, equipment—it becomes counterproductive,” emphasized Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association, as reported by La Verdad.

Nonetheless, Almaguer concedes that the new airport possesses substantial potential to attract European charter flights.

“It’s well known that this area of the state greatly appeals to that segment of tourism. Beyond this, various factors needed consideration. Frankly, not just capacity, since the Tulum airport doesn’t parallel Cancun’s in scale. We believe it wouldn’t significantly impact the tourist flow, perhaps around 3% of 30 million… it’s possible,” Almaguer pointed out.

Initially, the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, also recognized as the Tulum Airport, will be equipped to handle 32,000 annual operations and accommodate up to 5 million passengers.

This infrastructure project encompasses a military base, a waste management facility, the “Tulum” station of the Tren Maya railway system, among other distinctive features.