In the last five years, the Mexican Caribbean has faced a significant increase in tourism fraud related to the sale of packages and timeshares.
Despite a 20% reduction in reports during 2024, compared to previous years, many victims do not report the cases, which makes it difficult to measure the real impact of this problem.
The Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco) registered 3,500 complaints from 2019 to October 2024, highlighting fraud committed through online platforms that offer attractive but false promotions.
Faced with this situation, authorities and representatives of the tourism sector have reinforced strategies to protect consumers and restore confidence in the destination.
Bernardo Cueto Riestra, head of the Quintana Roo Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur), explained that advanced technology is being incorporated into the tourist security tables to prevent, detect, and punish these illicit activities.
An example of this collaboration is the joint work between the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) and the cyber police, who have intensified surveillance of digital platforms.
Additionally, federal legislators have been informed about the magnitude of the problem, seeking support to implement effective solutions.
These initiatives are designed to provide travelers with practical tools that allow them to identify legitimate platforms and avoid becoming victims of fraud.
“We are strengthening the review of online sites and launching information campaigns to educate tourists on how to verify the authenticity of offers,” said Cueto Riestra.
Andrés Martínez Reynoso, director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), pointed out that fraud not only harms consumers but also the reputation of the state.
Some well-known hotel chains, such as Nickelodeon, have been used as a “hook” in these illicit activities.
For this reason, hotels and lodging centers work together with the authorities to implement security measures.
Its objective, Martínez Reynoso stressed, is to protect visitors and guarantee a reliable experience in the Mexican Caribbean.
TYT Newsroom
