Cruise Industry in Cozumel Thriving to Start 2023

Mexican travel officials reported that Cozumel experienced a massive increase in arriving cruise ship passengers in the first quarter of 2023.

According to the Riviera Maya News, Cozumel revealed a 104 percent increase in cruise industry arrivals between January and March, helping the island cement its spot as a top destination for itineraries to Mexico.

Cozumel recorded 390 cruise ship arrivals in the first quarter, an increase of 13 percent compared to last year. The number of arriving passengers also grew, jumping from 604,445 through the first three months of 2022 to 1,230,627 this year.

“In Quintana Roo, we are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism that benefits our local community and preserves our natural and cultural heritage,” Governor Mara Lezama told the Riviera Maya News.

“The growth of cruise tourism in Cozumel is a reflection of the joint work of all sectors and of our vision of a tourism model with social justice,” Lezama continued.

Last year, Cozumel’s tourism industry recorded 1,117 cruise ship arrivals and 2,943,760 passengers. Travel experts believe 1,154 vessels will arrive at the island, bringing an estimated 3,726,115 passengers along for the ride.

Quintana Roo officials continued to assure locals that the government remains focused on “sustainable and equitable tourism development, boosting prosperity and promoting a tourism model with social justice.”