Tulum’s Low Season Blues: Five Hotels Go Dark, and the Tourism Sector Frets

Five Tulum hotels have turned off the lights for the low season, and the tourism sector is in a bit of a lull, according to recent reports. While the overall hotel occupancy on the coastal strip hovers around 20 percent, down 10 points from last year, the real story is the financial strain this is putting on property owners.

Hotel association president David Ortiz Mena reported that coastal hotels are operating at around 15 percent occupancy, with sargassum removal alone costing individual establishments more than 500,000 pesos a week. This is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the tourism industry in Tulum, which has seen a significant increase in vacation rental units in the past five years, making it even harder for hotels to fill rooms.

The hotels are not just asking for a break from sargassum removal costs; they are formally requesting commercial and development banks to restructure their credit. Ortiz Mena emphasized, “It is unsustainable to pay high costs for beach cleaning.” The banks’ support is crucial to keeping the sector afloat during this tough period.

For expats and digital nomads, this news means staying tuned to the financial health of the local hotels. While the immediate impact might be minimal, understanding these trends can help in planning your stay or business operations in Tulum.