Restaurants in Playa del Carmen are optimistic for the next two weeks, expecting 70% occupancy despite the cold fronts from the north, known locally as “los nortes,” which cause temporary beach erosion due to strong winds.
Nevertheless, visitors continue to flock to the coast. “It’s the same every year: if it’s not the sargassum, it’s the north winds. The wind blows away the sand, and we’re left without a beach for a few days,” said Nicanor Reyes Cahum, an employee at the La Tarraya beach restaurant, according to Noticaribe.
At the end of 2015, occupancy reached between 60% and 70%, driven primarily by local tourism and Canadian tourists. This January, the north winds have reduced the available beach space, but tourism service providers are grateful for the absence of sargassum.
Reyes Cahum anticipates that during the first weeks of January, occupancy could reach 70% or 80%. “The little bit of beach we have is being used. People are coming down, there’s activity,” he said.
He also stated that the changes in wind direction, with the arrival of the southerly winds, are helping the sand return naturally. However, tourist traffic will decrease to 40% to 50%, a level considered normal until Easter.
Restaurants in Quintana Roo indicated that they will close the year with 17% less revenue compared to 2024. Julio Villarreal Zapata, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) in Cancún and Quintana Roo, stated that restaurants have had their worst year since the pandemic and, despite the increase in tourists, they are not seeing a recovery.
He also noted that 15 restaurants closed permanently during the year, and new openings did not exceed that number. He mentioned that restaurant occupancy was less than 70% during the first week of December, and 80% during the second week.
Source: reportur
