The Mexican state of Quintana Roo’s tourism industry is preparing to reopen in the second week of June, says Dario Flota, director of Quintana Roo Tourism Board. (The Quintana Roo Tourism Board represents popular destinations such as Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Costa Mujeres, Isla Holbox and Tulum.)
According to Flota, the reopening will be supported with new standards and protocols in terms of safety, quality, health and hygiene.
“We fully embrace the proactive decisions made by the Quintana Roo State government to take every measure possible to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our region,” he said. “This will ultimately result in our ability to recover more quickly as the global travel sector begins to rebound later this year.”
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Similar to Los Cabos’ five-phase reopening plan, Quintana Roo has a multiphase approach in place for the resumption of tourism. Recovery will be gradual, according to Flota, and it will first focus on the swift return of direct air connectivity to the state’s three international airports in Cancun, Cozumel and Chetumal.
Through virtual meetings, several airlines have announced they are resuming their operations at Cancun International Airport, he says. They include Air Canada, Air Transat, Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines, Air Europa, Sunwing Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue and Aeromexico.
Quintana Roo will return to the model that was already in place — a model that was already changing toward sustainability, toward the care of natural resources and toward a more responsible tourism.
Members of the travel industry will also be made aware of enhanced health and hygiene protocols. The Quintana Roo Tourism Board reports there are currently nearly 3,000 registered companies participating in the new Mexican Caribbean Clean & Safe Check Certification, an accreditation launched by Quintana Roo’s Secretary of Tourism, alongside state officials.
General measures include mandatory social distancing (about 5 feet from other individuals); taking body temperatures with remote instruments and avoiding body contact; displaying basic health prevention measures, especially in common areas; displaying information on basic symptoms of respiratory infections; placing disinfectant mats or a similar alternative at all access points to an establishment; offering sanitary stations with gel dispensers and disinfectant towels; and more.
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Flota says it’s essential for everyone to be fully prepared when entering into this new normal, and to continue with strict social isolation and health measures.
“Quintana Roo will return to the model that was already in place — a model that was already changing toward sustainability, toward the care of natural resources and toward a more responsible tourism,” he said.
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