Regarding the article on the downturn in Tulum tourism, what I don’t understand is how the officials have their vision blinded. If one reads the article, the jest is the high cost of Jaguar Park and how the Mexico City officials are “out of touch” with the how tourism works in Tulum.
While it is a factor, it is a small one. Seems it is the Tulum officials who apparently do not understand how tourism works.
The Jaguar Park, with it’s 415 peso pp entry fee, even for those who just want a day at the beach, is out of touch with reality. The improvements to that area are substantial and do look great compared to the way it was. It is however, a ridicuoulos amount to charge just to enter the free beach.
However, they really need to distance themselves and take a deeper look. Poor road conditions, bad or little to no sidewalks, bad lighting, trash everywhere all lead to a very bad look as a destination that claims to be a magical place.
It is far from it, and the word is out on social media. Add in taxi rates that are astronomical, drink prices that make Las Vegas and NYC seem affordable, very hard to impossible beach access, poor attitudes and service by many, scams and more scams, and the non stop police extrortion of tourists, and there is little doubt as to what is going on.
Are they really this out of touch?
It would pay them to have a couple people monitor social media. After all, social media helped build the boom, and it will cause it’s downfall. Instead of speculating incorrectly what is taking place, monitor where they can see the issues to the tourists.
Tulum could be magical. It’s all there. All they need to do is open their eyes and see. Instead, they choose not to. It’s a sad shame really.
Bob, Tulum
