Cancun, Q.R. — Transportation issues for arriving tourists are being improved at the Cancun International Airport. Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the Secretary of Quintana Roo Tourism, announced that a comprehensive operation is being prepared to solve known mobility problems experienced by tourists.
He says the improvements are being made after the current government became aware of years-long issues affecting tourists left unresolved. Cueto said the move is being made in order to improve transportation, mobility and the experience of travelers arriving at the Cancun International Airport.
According to Cueto, a comprehensive operation is being prepared in coming days to solve many of the dynamics that are occurring at the air terminal and that are affecting tourism.
“We need to improve many aspects and dynamics at the Cancun airport so that our tourists have a better experience and this is part of the competitiveness that is developing in this new tourism model,” he said.
The Secretary recalled that for several years, the government of Quintana Roo remained unaware of what was happening in the air terminals, but given the new dynamics of this tourism model headed by Governor Mara Lezama, they are seeking to be a more competitive tourist destination and intend to improve the experience of travelers.
“At the recent work group meeting we discussed the need to solve many of the problems that are occurring at the airport,” he said. “One of the main problems is transportation from the airport” he added.
The State official said that among the main immediate actions to be taken will be to stop the irregular transportation companies that have been operating at the airport for several years. He said in the past, they had been “tolerated” by the airport managing company who allowed a few companies to operate.
He says those irregular companies will no longer be allowed to operate out of Cancun International.
He reported another resolution is the rates tourists are charged to and from the airport. He says they are working to improve those rates and ensure they are not regulated based on supply and demand, which is currently how travelers are charged, but rather to establish regular fair prices for passengers.
“The current rates are governed by the law of supply and demand,” he said. “There is no base rate as such and this lends itself to certain operators abusing the charges for the service they provide, which is why we must pay close attention to this along with other aspects,” he said.
Last week, a work meeting was held between state officials and the company that manages the Cancun International Airport to tweak operations to better serve tourists. At the time, Governor Mara Lezama announced improved infrastructure, services and tourist experiences.
According to Lezama, the key issues addressed at the December 18 meeting included customs operations and their impact on the flow of passenger traffic, the management of the National Migration Institute (INM), especially in relation to the handling of inadmissible tourists, and waiting times at immigration checkpoints.
Earlier this year, Lezama also met with Mexican Custom officials regarding an outdate electronics tax being passed on to arriving tourists. As of early October, that tax, for arriving with too many electronics, has been been eliminated at the Cancun airport.
