Tourism, Inequality, and Opportunities for a Sustainable Hospitality Model
Abraham Mendoza Martínez (Mexico)
Abstract
This article reflects on the feasibility of achieving shared prosperity in the tourism context of Quintana Roo, an emblematic region known for its economic dynamism and the inequalities derived from its tourism model. Based on a literature review and secondary data analysis from official sources (INEGI, SECTUR, CONEVAL, and OECD), it examines recent progress in poverty reduction and the ongoing challenges of social inclusion and environmental sustainability. A proposed framework of action centers on education, ethical leadership, and local productive innovation as pillars for a new paradigm of hospitality development. Keywords: shared prosperity, sustainable tourism, inclusive development, hospitality, Quintana Roo.
Introduction
Quintana Roo is one of Latin America’s most successful tourism destinations—globally competitive and attracting over 20 million international visitors annually (SECTUR, 2024). However, behind this growth lies a structural dilemma: Is shared prosperity truly achievable within a model that, while profitable, continues to reproduce labor and territorial inequalities?
Tourism has driven state-level economic development but has also widened the gap between highly urbanized coastal zones and inland communities with limited access to tourism’s benefits. The concept of shared prosperity, as proposed by the World Bank (2023), suggests that economic growth must translate into equitable wellbeing and social and environmental sustainability.
This article aims to analyze trends in poverty, employment, and sustainability indicators in Quintana Roo over the last five years and to discuss strategies for transitioning toward a more equitable and inclusive tourism model.
Theoretical Framework
The concept of shared prosperity emphasizes that economic growth should lead to sustained improvements in quality of life for all social sectors, especially the most vulnerable (World Bank, 2023). In tourism, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2023) asserts that sustainable destinations are those balancing profitability, social inclusion, and environmental preservation.
According to Ritchie and Crouch (2010), destination competitiveness should consider not only financial performance but also community wellbeing and resource conservation. Bernal-Escoto et al. (2023) argue that sustainability and competitiveness indicators must integrate economic, social, and cultural dimensions, while the OECD (2024) emphasizes governance, education, and innovation as foundations for lasting prosperity.
Methodology
The study employs a qualitative-descriptive approach, using two complementary strategies:
- Document review: Analysis of 25 institutional and academic sources (World Bank, SECTUR, INEGI, OECD, UNWTO, CONEVAL), published between 2020 and 2025.
- Secondary data analysis: Processing of socio-economic indicators from INEGI, CONEVAL, and SECTUR on poverty, employment, income, and sustainability. Data were grouped into three analytical categories: economic distribution, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Results
From 2020 to 2025, Quintana Roo reduced its poverty rate by approximately 9.3 percentage points, equivalent to 177,000 people lifted out of poverty (Government of Quintana Roo, 2025).
At the same time, labor poverty decreased from 20.1% in Q4 2024 to 18.0% in Q2 2025 (CONEVAL, 2025; INEGI, 2025).
The Economically Active Population (EAP) reached 995,000 people, of which 972,000 were employed, and the unemployment rate stood at 2.6% (INEGI, 2025). Real per capita labor income grew by 7.1% annually (CONEVAL, 2024).
In tourism, 80% of lodging revenue remained concentrated in international corporations, while local microenterprises captured only 10% of total income (INEGI, 2024).
In terms of sustainability, only 12–15% of establishments had environmental certifications (Bernal-Escoto et al., 2023).
These results reflect overall socioeconomic improvement, but limited inclusion within the dominant tourism model.
Discussion
Progress in poverty and labor poverty reduction creates a window of opportunity to promote a more equitable prosperity model. Improved wages and formal employment lay positive groundwork, but the tourism sector continues to operate under highly concentrated economic structures.
Achieving shared prosperity requires integrating social and economic programs into the tourism value chain. Dual education, training in responsible hospitality, and sustainability certification are key strategies to convert economic competitiveness into social and environmental wellbeing.
Moreover, a working population with higher income creates favorable conditions for redistributing tourism benefits through social innovation, local entrepreneurship, and participatory governance.
Conclusions
Shared prosperity in Quintana Roo has shown tangible progress but is not yet consolidated as a comprehensive model. Poverty reduction and income growth are encouraging signs, yet tourism benefits remain unequally distributed.
To strengthen this transition, the following three strategic lines of action are proposed:
- Integrate poverty reduction into local and community-based tourism policies.
- Promote dual education, ethical leadership, and sustainable certification as engines of equity.
- Create a Tourism and Social Prosperity Observatory to monitor inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainability as pillars of regional economic development.
References
Banco Mundial. (2023). Shared Prosperity Report 2023. Washington, DC: Banco Mundial.
Bernal-Escoto, M., García, M., & Chávez, R. (2023). Sustainable tourism: A competitiveness strategy perspective. Sustainability, 15(14), 11542. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411542
CONEVAL. (2025). Medición de la pobreza laboral por entidad federativa. Ciudad de México: CONEVAL.
Gobierno de Quintana Roo. (2025). Informe estatal sobre reducción de pobreza. Cancún: Gobierno del Estado de Quintana Roo.
INEGI. (2025). Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo: Quintana Roo. Ciudad de México: INEGI.
OCDE. (2024). Tourism trends and policies 2024. París: OECD Publishing.
Ritchie, J. R. B., & Crouch, G. I. (2010). A model of destination competitiveness and sustainability. Journal of Travel Research, 50(1), 57–66.
SECTUR. (2024). Anuario estadístico del turismo en México 2024. Ciudad de México: Gobierno de México.
UNWTO. (2023). Tourism for people, planet and prosperity. Madrid: UNWTO.
