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After the pandemic, the traveling industry is again on the rise, with the Mayan Riviera bouncing back with a steady and impressive recovery. More tourists than ever are visiting areas just south of Cancun, like the ultra-popular vacation destination Tulum, which is why investors want to give passengers direct access to the trendy beach town. However, experts say there are some dire concerns that could impact the completion of Tulum International Airport that need to be looked at first.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is concerned with Tulum’s low hotel numbers compared to tourist destinations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The construction of Tulum’s airport is near the Cancun international airport, which will create an unattractive situation because of proximity. The interlinking of the two airports can pose a significant risk to the market. IATA also wants to know whether Tulum airport may not generate its demand considering that Cancun airport is just a few hours away.
What Is The Situation Going On With Tulum Airport?
In Tulum, several studies and surveys were conducted, almost a year away from the planned completion of the airport. Reports emerged from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) claiming that there were a few potential red flags for this project. According to them, there were issues with this initiative that need to be considered.
The report was delivered to the Secretary of National Defense, but the report details were later released to the public through hacking. It claimed that Tulum is home to 10,800 hotel rooms, which is far less than Cancun and Playa del Carmen (below 42,000 and 44,000 rooms, respectively).
International Air Transport Association (IATA) also mentioned details including risks posed by the current road system of Tulum. According to the IATA report, the access roads from the city to the airport are quite problematic. The roads that lead to the terminal should be expanded. Otherwise, there will be increased gridlock.
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A great emphasis was also placed on the design and architecture of the Tulum airport. The results found the current design may pose safety risks for the domestic departures and arrivals section.
What Does This Mean For Travelers?
The future of Tulum International Airport is currently unclear, and it is uncertain when or if the construction will be completed. This puts travelers in a difficult situation as they make plans to directly visit the area.
Will This Operation Of Tulum Airport Work?
After the start of the Mayan train, there was a positive and better chance to handle the movement of travelers. The beginning of the train could be expected near 2023, and it will accommodate more traveler demand. Currently, Tulum airport was estimated to accommodate 17.2 million passengers, but still, the biggest and main airport in the area will still be Cancun international.
For the airport to see the light, some believe that Tulum has to offer lower fares than Cancun with a better service to its travelers. There should be enough check-in counters to maintain the demand and a good selection of services like restaurants and lounges for departing passengers. Moreover, if they want to compete, the airport needs to work with advanced technology that can positively impact the passenger experience, like kiosks with self-check facilities and more efficient security lines.
Tulum’s airport has long been a dream of many visitors. It would make things simpler and accommodate travel plans to the area, which many tourists were looking forward to. There is still great optimism that the completion of Tulum International Airport will soon be realized with the hopes of increased hotels and resort development.
The shortage of hotels is one of the biggest problems that makes Tulum airport unattractive according to IATA.
Let us know your thoughts on Tulum’s International Airport situation. Was this something you were looking forward to?
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