Riviera Maya, Q.R. — For the first time in 20 years, Riviera Maya will not host the international jazz festival it became known for. Instead, the 2024 event has been postponed until next year when it will reemerge as the Mexican Caribbean Music Fest.
According to Andrés Martínez, Director of the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), November is currently a season with much more solid hotel occupancy rates which led organizers to rethink the purpose of the festival since the original purpose was to attract tourists in low season.
After celebrating its 20th edition last year, promoters decided not to cancel the event, but revamp it into something else. He says the revamp will see the festival broaden its musical focus by integrating more diverse genres and opening the doors to a wider audience.
Martínez, who heads the Consejo de Promoción Turística del Caribe Mexicano (CPTQ), says the event’s main objective is to encourage tourism in low seasons. He says part of the restructuring will also see the festival change venues.
He says the first edition of the Mexican Caribbean Music Fest will be held in Playa del Carmen, but will have a different venue for the second edition. The festival will combine national and international talents that attract both North American and Mexican markets.
“I spoke with Riviera Maya hotels and it was established that it was necessary to promote the event with new genres, without leaving aside jazz, so it is evolving and now it will be on other dates, since it was always held in November,” he added.
Details of a lineup and dates for a possible first edition have not yet been revealed, however, Martinez says the official announcement is expected soon.
