One of the most remarkable aspects is that the festival’s impact goes far beyond gastronomy, generating tangible results across the productive fabric. Hotel occupancy rose by around 8% compared to previous editions, thousands of temporary jobs were created in services, logistics, transport, and accommodation, and a broad value chain was activated, bringing together local communities, artisans, cacao growers, and tourism entrepreneurs. The festival also became a meeting point for national and international producers, with the participation of countries from the Mayan World and Spain, opening new doors for marketing, technical cooperation, and visibility for Tabasco’s cacao on global markets.
More than 550 exhibitors took part in the event, which also hosted 21 business meetings and 11 technical and academic sessions focused on innovation in cacao cultivation, processing, and commercialization. These activities enriched the visitor experience: people did not come only to taste chocolate, but to learn about its history, understand the value chain behind each bar, appreciate its deep connection with local culture, and explore its export potential. The strategy is clear: to transform the festival into a development engine that integrates agricultural production, the food industry, experiential tourism, and cultural identity.
In tourism terms, the digital reach has also been significant. The festival generated millions of social media interactions, thousands of pieces of content shared across platforms, and a considerable increase in Tabasco’s visibility as a destination. This strengthens the state’s positioning strategy beyond the region itself, aiming to attract international travelers looking for authentic cultural and gastronomic immersion.
The economic impact is equally noteworthy. The more than 235 million pesos in revenue reflect how the arrival of hundreds of thousands of people translated into direct spending, service contracts, and—most importantly—a real boost for cacao producers and local businesses connected to the event. State authorities have highlighted that these results reinforce Tabasco’s aspiration to consolidate itself as the “world capital of cacao.”
However, such success also brings challenges that cannot be ignored. Managing this volume of visitors requires adequate infrastructure, quality services, and tourism planning that safeguards both the experience and the sustainability of the environment. It is essential that the growing popularity of the festival goes hand in hand with the protection of cultural and natural heritage, that the value chain remains inclusive for small producers, and that economic benefits are distributed fairly. At the same time, an opportunity arises to diversify the offer beyond the main event, promoting cacao routes, production tours, and complementary rural tourism that help extend visitors’ stays in the region.
The 2025 Chocolate Festival thus outlines an inspiring path for the region’s tourism and agricultural sectors. Each chocolate bar, each tasting session, each technical talk, and each visitor’s smile form a mosaic that blends tradition, economy, culture, and experience. What began as a sector-focused fair has evolved into a strategic development event, positioning Tabasco as a key player on the national and international map of tourism, gastronomy, and cacao production.
