Tourism
During the first half of 2005, tourism investment reached 1.83
billion dollars, 10.1 percent greater than the same period for
the previous year. Economic activity in the state was greater
than 2004 and is expected to break new records, as its beach
destinations have captured almost three-quarters (71.9%) of
Mexico's private investment.
Because of its position as a tourism center Quintana Roo has
great cash flow. Its tourism sectors are the nation's best. It has
one of the highest return tourist rates -- 35-37 percent. In 2004, the Cancun-Tulum Tourism Corridor registered
a 74 percent average occupancy rate. Although this figure was impacted by Hurricane Wilma, especially in
Cancun (which was hit hardest and is still recovering), 2006 is showing surprising strength and it is expected
to reach traditional levels by the end of the year. In general, hotels here have achieved such high occupancy
levels that low seasons have been considerably reduced in recent years. Unlike the rest of the country, economic
activity in Quintana Roo is increasing significantly and will continue to do so due to the increase in national and
international tourism to Cancun and the Riviera Maya, which assures dynamic growth in sources of employment
as well as in established services and business and those yet to come.
Cancún and the Riviera Maya together contain fifty thousand hotel rooms, but according to the investment
plans foreseen for the area during the next three years twenty thousand additional rooms will be constructed.
Quintana Roo now has seven golf courses in operation (seven in Cancun, two in the Riviera Maya and one in
Cozumel). Eleven more are under construction (seven in Cancun, two in the Riviera Maya and two in Costa
Maya). Most are being designed by Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and other celebrated golf course designers. In
the northern district new mega-projects (Playa Mujeres, Puerto Cancun, Riviera Cancun and others) will fuel a
demand for construction materials and services for the next ten years.