CANCÚN, Mexico—Since this once-sleepy stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coast began its transformation into a glitzy resort community 50 years ago, it has thrived by attracting millions of vacationers during its summer and winter seasons. And the tourism industry that helped pull Cancún and its people out of poverty and put them on a more prosperous path is struggling. “In Cancún there is no economic activity other than tourism,” said Mr. González. “For many, it’s like the end of the world.”The global tourism downturn that has accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic hit airlines and hotel chains and hurt hospitality workers around the world. But it is being felt most acutely in the world’s less-developed nations, such as Mexico, where tourism is an important driver of economic development.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 22, 2020 14:03 UTC