Google Maps Expands Services in Riviera Maya, Merida, Oaxaca

Google Maps Mexico has expanded its services in the Riviera Maya, Merida, and Oaxaca, digitizing key infrastructure with the aim of improving public transportation and empowering tourism SMEs.

In a recent interview, Sebastian Hiernaux, Strategic Alliances leader for Google Maps, and Karina Alarcon, Strategic Alliances leader for Google Search, discussed recent developments and expansions in the Riviera Maya, Merida, and Oaxaca regions. 

Among the highlighted projects was the complete digitization of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport in Tulum. This effort, made in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), includes the integration of updated aerial and satellite images, as well as the optimization of routes to provide more accurate time estimates and avoid dirt roads.

The second major project involves the detailed mapping of the new Barranca Larga - Ventanilla highway, which runs from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.

“This infrastructure has been thoroughly mapped, with progressively updated satellite imagery, adjusted travel times, and captured 360-degree images with Street View,” Hiernaux said in an interview with Wired. 

Hiernaux emphasized the incorporation of descriptive factors such as costs and points of interest, gathered by fleets of vehicles covering thousands of miles. “By adding relevant information such as toll booths, gas stations and restaurants, we ensure that visitors can plan their trips accordingly,” Hiernaux added.

The third major announcement relates to the recent integration of Merida's public transportation services into the platform, in collaboration with the Yucatan Transportation Agency (ATY). This integration includes details on routes, schedules, frequencies, and stops, allowing users to not only optimize travel times but also provides greater safety and security. 

In addition to the expansion of services, Google has launched initiatives to support SMEs in the tourism sector in southeastern Mexico. Through the SURGES project, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Google has trained more than 1,500 tourism businesses to optimize their digital presence and Business Profiles on Google Maps, increasing their visibility and competitiveness in the market.

“We are constantly improving the way people explore travel queries. We are excited to share that we are working together with online ticketing platforms to continue to boost the local tourism economy,” concluded Karina Alarcón.

Google has also introduced a new Travel Module that integrates with both Google Search and Google Maps. This module makes it easier for travelers to search, compare, and select bus routes between cities, and allows access to ticketing platforms and transportation service providers.