Tulum gears up for a 2026 World Cup tourism surge after summer slump
Tulum is preparing for a tourism boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local leaders, businesses, and academics are working together to improve services and manage challenges like beach access and sargassum buildup. The region saw a dip in visitors over the summer, but signs of recovery have begun to show in late 2025.
Tourism in Tulum faced difficulties in mid-2025. Hotel occupancy dropped to 48.1% in early September, down from previous years. Officials linked the decline to economic uncertainty in the US, where 60% of Tulum’s tourists originate. David Ortiz Mena, head of the Tulum Hotel Association, noted that this slump was partly due to fewer American travellers.
Tulum’s tourism sector is slowly rebounding after a tough summer. The 2026 World Cup could bring a significant increase in visitors, provided ongoing efforts to clean beaches and improve services succeed. With 10,800 hotel rooms and coordinated planning, the region aims to strengthen its appeal as a top destination.
