Record-Breaking Business and Global Participation
The 37th annual Cancun Travel Mart (CTM), held from October 22-24, 2025, at the Iberostar Selection Cancun, concluded with significant achievements, highlighting the continued growth of Mexico's tourism sector. Organized by the Cancún, Puerto Morelos & Isla Mujeres Hotel Association (CPMIMHA), the event facilitated over 2,200 business meetings among more than 550 delegates representing 230 companies from 28 countries. These negotiations are projected to generate sales exceeding $5.2 billion USD, a notable increase from the previous year's $4.95 billion USD.
The 'strictly business' format allowed buyers and suppliers to engage in pre-scheduled appointments, discussing contracts, developing new packages, and securing bookings for upcoming seasons. The event also served as a platform to discuss the potential impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on regional tourism, with Cancun positioning itself as a strategic gateway for international visitors.
Cancun Embraces Zero Waste Initiative for Sustainable Future
A pivotal announcement at the Travel Mart was Cancun's commitment to becoming the first Mexican destination to join the Zero Waste initiative, overseen by the UN World Tourism Organization. This ambitious program aims to revolutionize waste management across hotels, beaches, and various tourism touchpoints over a three-year timeline. Currently, Cancun generates approximately 1,500 tons of waste daily, and this initiative seeks to significantly reduce that figure.
The initial phase of the program will involve evaluating 89 hotels within Cancun's hotel zone to implement strategies for reducing single-use plastics and disposable items. Supported by the TUI Care Foundation, the initiative aligns with the UN Tourism Global Initiative on Tourism and Plastics, emphasizing principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Municipal president of Cancun, Ana Paty Peralta, described the announcement as representing a 'new view of tourism' that is 'more conscientious, more fair and truly sustainable.' The findings and progress of this initiative are expected to be presented at FITUR 2026.
A Vision for Humanistic and Growing Tourism
The Cancun Travel Mart underscored the region's broader commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism. Governor Mara Lezama, who inaugurated the event, emphasized that Quintana Roo's tourism strategy extends beyond visitor numbers, focusing on the quality of life for tourism workers, community empowerment, and social well-being. This 'humanistic tourism' approach aims to balance economic growth with social and cultural sustainability, positioning Quintana Roo as a model for the global tourism sector.
Cancun continues to be a leading international gateway for Mexico, with the state of Quintana Roo welcoming over 20 million tourists in 2024. The discussions at the Travel Mart also touched upon ongoing hotel growth and investments in sustainable tourism infrastructure, reflecting Cancun's dynamic evolution as a premier global destination.
6 Comments
ZmeeLove
The economic projections are impressive and clearly benefit the region, but the article doesn't detail how 'humanistic tourism' will directly address income inequality for all local residents. Growth needs to be truly inclusive.
Comandante
The vision for 'humanistic tourism' is inspiring, focusing on worker well-being and community. However, the practical implementation details and measurable outcomes for these social initiatives are still unclear, making it hard to assess true impact.
ZmeeLove
Another tourism boom, another environmental crisis waiting to happen. Skeptical.
paracelsus
Humanistic tourism sounds nice, but how much actually trickles down to workers?
anubis
It's great to see Cancun embracing environmental responsibility with the zero-waste plan, yet the sheer volume of 20 million tourists yearly still presents an immense challenge for any ecological program. Balancing growth with genuine preservation is key.
dedus mopedus
Zero waste is a game-changer! Other destinations should follow their lead.