The Tren Maya Effect on Tulum
TULUM, Mexico – The imminent launch of the Tren Maya and the new Tulum airport is set to propel a 10% increase in tourist arrivals to the city by 2025.
In 2023, Tulum welcomed over 1.6 million tourists, but with the operation of the Tren Maya and the airport, more than 2.2 million travelers are projected to visit the Cancun destination, according to Far Homes, a platform simplifying global housing.
This surge translates to over 600,000 visitors drawn to Tulum by the allure of the new airport and the Tren Maya, as disclosed by the London-based company.
Thanks to infrastructure developments championed by the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Tulum is poised to witness an annual 10% increase in Mexican and international tourists. Far Homes, which has experienced heightened demand for real estate in the Yucatán Peninsula, emphasizes the positive impact on property values in the surrounding areas due to the rising tourism and local mobility.
Inaugurating the first segment of the Tren Maya, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador celebrated the completion of a project that has significantly boosted the economy of the Yucatán Peninsula. Accompanied by his cabinet, the Campeche governor, and executives from ICA, Grupo Carso, and Mota Engil, the president unveiled a commemorative plaque for the 473-kilometer stretch comprising 14 stations.
Starting December 16, the Tren Maya will embark on its maiden journeys, with ticket sales having commenced a few days earlier—tickets were quickly sold out.
During his press briefing, López Obrador underscored the “record time” in which the Tren Maya was constructed, completing the project in less than five years, a notable feat given that such endeavors typically span multiple administrations and take at least a decade to finish.
Ian Poot Franco, president of tourism specialists and lecturer at the Universidad Intercontinental (UIC), heralded the Tren Maya as ushering in a new era for Yucatán Peninsula tourism. By enhancing connectivity and initiating a surge in real estate interest, the Tren Maya is creating a transformative impact.
Franco, however, issued a cautionary note about a potential real estate bubble triggered by the allure of the Tren Maya and its extensive 4,000-kilometer network linking Yucatán, Campeche, and Tabasco states.
“In terms of speculation, individuals captivated by the project may buy property, but many are situated midway along the Tren Maya stations. Subsequently, attempts to sell real estate developments near the Tren Maya may face challenges and, if unsuccessful, could turn into ghost towns, a phenomenon observed in some European regions,” he warned.
