Yucatán is set to receive 5 billion pesos in tourism investments this year—nearly half in Mérida—with hotel, entertainment and restaurant projects generating over 8,800 jobs. Public-private initiatives, from Maya Train hotels to new resorts and attractions, underscore the state’s strategic connectivity and economic growth.
Yucatán is solidifying its reputation as one of Mexico’s most attractive destinations for tourism-sector investment, with projects expected to inject a total of 5 billion pesos into the local economy over the remainder of 2025. According to the Directorate of New Tourism Investments at the Yucatán Tourism Development Secretariat (Sefotur), nearly half of that sum—49 percent—will fund developments in Mérida, while the state’s interior will receive the remaining 51 percent. Officials project these initiatives will create 2,848 direct positions and spur more than 6,043 indirect jobs, underscoring tourism’s growing role as a driver of regional employment.
Data for January through April 2025 reveal that the lion’s share of investment (66 percent) is concentrated in the hotel sector, reflecting strong confidence in Yucatán’s capacity to accommodate increasing visitor flows. Entertainment ventures—including theme parks, beach clubs, marinas and museums—account for 31 percent of new funding, while restaurant projects make up the remaining 4 percent. This diversified portfolio of tourism offerings is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of travelers, from families seeking leisure experiences to culinary tourists and culture enthusiasts.
Private-sector commitments announced so far this year total some 1.2 billion pesos, with a string of high-profile openings already on the books. In Tekit, the Destino Mío Mayan Resort will bring luxury accommodations to a town famed for its proximity to Mayan archaeological sites. Dzilam Bravo’s coastline will gain Lob Lob Cabins, an eco-friendly lodging concept that emphasizes sustainable design amid coastal mangroves. Mérida is set to welcome new outposts of the Comitiva Group’s celebrated restaurant portfolio, while Homún’s Santa Rosa Cenote will add boutique cabins and a state-of-the-art video-mapping experience that brings its underground waters to life. Further inland, the Hacienda Susulá Boutique Hotel is breathing fresh life into a restored colonial estate, and Progreso’s waterfront dining scene will expand with Molusk, a seafood restaurant poised to showcase the Gulf’s bounty.
Complementing private ventures, significant public investment is flowing into tourism infrastructure. Two Maya Train hotels—located at the major archaeological sites of Chichén Itzá and Nuevo Uxmal—are under construction, the latter paired with a new theme park concept designed to extend visitors’ stays and spending in the region. These projects leverage the connectivity offered by the Mayan Train, which has already transformed travel between Yucatán’s historic and natural attractions.
The state’s logistical advantages remain key to its appeal. Yucatán currently supports seven international and twelve domestic air routes, enabling direct connections with major U.S. hubs and other Mexican markets. Rail service via the Maya Train adds overland mobility, while the deep-sea port at Progreso is equipped to handle vessels carrying up to 40,000 tons of cargo and luxury cruise ships accommodating as many as 4,500 passengers. In 2024, Progreso moved over 8.6 million tons of goods and welcomed 104 cruise calls, bringing more than 317,000 visitors to Yucatán’s shores. This year, authorities anticipate over 150 cruise ship arrivals, translating to roughly 400,000 passengers—numbers that will further boost spending in hotels, restaurants and excursion providers.
Meeting and convention tourism also figures prominently in Yucatán’s growth strategy. The International Congress Center in Mérida offers more than 10,000 square meters of flexible event space, while the Yucatán Siglo XXI Convention Center adds over 20,000 square meters across nine halls and six repurposed cinema theaters. From January through March 2025, these venues hosted 121 conferences, exhibitions and corporate gatherings—evidence of Yucatán’s rising profile as a business-events destination in southern Mexico.
To maximize the impact of these investments, Sefotur actively connects project developers with local suppliers and service providers, integrating new initiatives into the Inventory of Tourism Services of the State of Yucatán (InvenTur). By strengthening networks among hoteliers, restaurateurs, transport operators and cultural venues, the state government aims to ensure that growth benefits both large-scale enterprises and small-business owners throughout the region.
With its strategic geography—proximate to key U.S. markets, served by robust air and sea links and complemented by modern rail infrastructure—Yucatán is positioning itself as a linchpin of Mexico’s tourism economy. The anticipated 5 billion pesos in investment will not only expand the state’s offering of hotels, attractions and culinary experiences, but also generate thousands of jobs and underpin broader economic development. As projects progress through 2025 and beyond, Yucatán appears poised to consolidate its role as a magnet for visitors and investors alike.
