Record sargassum prompts Riviera Maya to seek tourism emergency declaration

Tourism leaders in Mexico's Riviera Maya are calling on authorities to declare an emergency as record amounts of sargassum continue to wash ashore, saying the seaweed invasion is driving cancellations, reducing hotel occupancy and threatening the region's tourism economy.

As first reported in Riviera Maya News, local businesses say the heavy presence of sargassum – free-floating brown algae – on beaches has led to a decline in tourism.

They are urging the government to issue an emergency declaration that would unlock additional funding to tackle the problem.

“We can’t wait any longer"

Andrea Lotito, vice president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, says existing resources need to be reinvested into addressing the growing sargassum crisis, which she says is causing declining hotel occupancy and widespread economic losses.

The state's hotel sector warns that the unprecedented influx of seaweed has shortened visitors' stays, affecting not only the Riviera Maya but tourism across the state of Quintana Roo.

“As hotels, we propose to the authorities that they issue a declaration of emergency in order to access extraordinary resources and be able to face this crisis that is affecting everyone,” said Lotito, who was quoted in Riviera Maya News’ story.

Lotito said she believes an emergency declaration is justified because sargassum levels recorded in 2026 have already surpassed those seen in 2025.

“We can’t wait any longer,” she said. “Summer vacation is just around the corner and we can’t promote a destination covered in sargassum. The beaches need to be restored to regain the confidence of tourist markets.”

Lotito said the response must go beyond simply removing seaweed from beaches, calling instead for a comprehensive strategy involving government agencies, the private sector, oceanographers and marine biologists to address the issue over the long term.

Ramón Cárdenas González, president of the Riviera Maya Business Coordinating Council, also warned of the economic toll the ongoing sargassum influx is taking on tourism.

While he noted that sargassum does not pose a direct threat to human life, he said it is causing significant financial losses for tourism-dependent businesses.

He cautioned that unless authorities take more decisive action, the impact on the competitiveness of the Riviera Maya and other destinations in Quintana Roo could be felt for years to come.

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