TULUM, México —Merchants in the heart of Tulum’s tourist district hope the upcoming Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations will boost sales. Many local business owners are counting on the cultural tourism surrounding these events to offset the financial challenges brought by the ongoing low season.
Mauricio Hernández, manager of the handicraft store “Hernández,” mentioned that they expect a 20% to 30% increase in sales thanks to the influx of tourists during these holidays. “We are hopeful there will be a rise in sales because it’s tough for small business owners to stay afloat without tourism,” Hernández remarked.
The current low season has left many businesses struggling, with sales plummeting to less than 50% of their usual levels. According to Hernández, several factors contribute to this downturn, including the rising costs of accommodations and restaurants, which may exceed travelers’ budgets. “We understand it’s low season, but there should be incentives to attract more tourists,” he added.
Similarly, Juan José Plaza, manager of the restaurant El Rincón, shared that local business owners are doing their part to draw attention to the festivities by decorating their establishments with traditional Halloween and Day of the Dead ornaments. Plaza expressed hope that visitors will choose Tulum as their holiday destination from October 29 to November 2 to enjoy costume parties and the traditional altars that honor the Day of the Dead.
“We expect a higher number of tourists between October 29 and November 2 as they come to enjoy costume parties and the traditional Day of the Dead altars. We hope these festivities will bring us a financial break because we’ve had several difficult months with very little tourism. The low season has hit us hard,” Plaza said.
Both Hernández and Plaza agree that the success of these festivities will depend on the arrival of visitors seeking to experience Tulum’s rich cultural offerings during these emblematic dates. As merchants brace for what they hope will be an economic boost, combining cultural traditions and a vibrant holiday atmosphere could be the key to drawing in more tourists during a typically slow period for the town’s businesses.
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