An agreement has been reached that will see the immediate increase of 115 INM agents at the Cancun International Airport. After years of neglect and written letters, an agreement has finally been reached between the Riviera Maya Hotel Association (AHRM) and the National Institute of Migration (INM).

In a statement Tuesday, the Asociación de Hoteles de la Riviera Maya (AHRM) applauded efforts being made by the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) to reduce the immigration inconveniences travelers are faced with when arriving at the Cancun airport.

In a statement regarding the agreement they said “this will allow progress towards the consolidation of the Mexican Caribbean as the tourism powerhouse that it should be. Tourism is, or should be, a priority,” referring to obstacles that delay the region in economic advancements.

The Immigration and Customs filters have been some of those obstacles referred to by the AHRM, who pointed out that the problem “urgently needed to be resolved,” said Toni Chaves, head of the AHRM.

Earlier this month, heads of state agencies met with INM Commissioner Francisco Garduño Yáñez

He said that the goal of the agreements is to solve the serious problems that have arisen at the airport affecting the millions of tourists. The announcement of the agreement came after a recent meeting between heads of state agencies and INM Commissioner, Francisco Garduño Yáñez, where federal officials were asked to step in.

As part of their agreement, there will be an immediate increase of INM staff to 115 officers at the migratory filers of the Cancun airport.

Not only does the lack of INM officers generate a line of at least an hour-and-a-half, “the overcrowding implies increased risks of covid-19 contagion not to mention the deplorable image that we project to the world.”

As part of their agreement, the Ministry of the Interior also agreed to apply the tourist stay permit of between 90 and 180 days to specific nationalities and have agreed to review Article 35 for the use of state-of-the-art technology.

“A slight change in the Migration Law could make it easier for tourist interviews carried out by Migration officers to be replaced by a kiosk with technology that allows passports to be read and grant easy and quick access,” the AHRM said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made an agreement to find a better space to expand the passport office and will establish a link in the office located at the Cancun airport. Both sides have agreed to meet in 30 days for a progress follow-up meeting.