Cozumel: Nautical operators suffer from a drop in tourists in summer

Nautical service providers in Cozumel have described the summer vacation season that is about to end as “regular” due to a notable drop in the number of tourists. This decrease in the number of visitors has led operators to adjust their tour prices in an effort to attract more customers.

Nautical entrepreneurs pointed out that, in addition to low sales, they have had to face additional challenges arising from unfair competition. In particular, they have had to deal with the bad image caused by commission agents in Playa del Carmen who, through deception, offer tourists services that are not included in the tours. This type of practice has generated discontent among visitors and has affected the reputation of the destination.

Traditionally, tours to the beach known as El Cielo, operated from the Aldora pier, were sold for up to 800 pesos per person and included drinks and snacks. However, due to intense competition between local operators and the trickery of outside commissioners, prices have had to be reduced in the hope of improving tips and attracting more tourists.

“In addition to competing among ourselves, we now face unfair competition from commission agents who misinform tourists about Cozumel, promoting the idea that our island is too expensive and selling packages with services that are not fulfilled,” commented a representative of the island’s nautical services.

As reported by REPORTUR.mxat the beginning of August, the owners of hotels in downtown Cozumel, many of them with a long tradition and run by families from the island, are facing a low occupancy of 40%, in contrast to more than 60% reported by chain hotels and All-inclusive hotels. Faced with this situation, they have asked the tourism authorities to pay more attention to promoting the island in order to improve the occupancy of their establishments. (Alarm in Cozumel due to low occupancy of downtown hotels).