The tourist paradises of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula contain some of Latin America and the world’s leading tourist destinations. More than eight million tourists and three million cruise ship passengers come to these shores per year, and the figure is set to rise just as it has, year on year, for the last forty years.
Tourism has brought great economic growth and stability to the area, but of course this has had a large and lasting change to the environment. Thankfully for all of us, however, there is a huge potential for responsible tourism and sustainable developments of which the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the most well known at the moment.
Ecotourism in Sian Ka’an
The Sian Ka’an biosphere is an important area of the region and is protected as a UNESCO endorsed nature reserve. This is, in part, due to the rich culture and history, such as the traditions and customs of the villages in this area, that the Sian Ka’an Biosphere protects. As it has one of the most gorgeous virgin coastlines in Mexico, this is the ideal place for responsible ecotourism that works in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
Ecotourism and public policy
There has been, so far, a distinct scarcity of public policies which serve the consolidation of the programs promoting community tourism within the Sian Ka’an Niosphere. Nonetheless international organizations and associations such as the UN (United Nations) and the Inter-American Development Bank have joined forces with the Amigos de Sian Ka’an Actions for Nature association in order to promote ecotourism in this precious area. The idea is that this project can position the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in a premier spot when it comes to world ecotourism.
How appropriate is Sian Ka’an for Ecotourism?
Studies designed to evaluate the appropriateness of the Sian Ka’an for ecotourism have identified no less than 17 companies in the biosphere which are dedicated to this kind of tourist trade. These responsible companies are all in the process of building good relationships with tour operators which specialize in their area. This region has been identified as a place where authentic ecotourism can be found with a high social benefit and low environmental impact.
The Future of Ecotourism in Sian Ka’an
2014 was crucial for the consolidation of responsible tourism programs in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere as a series of programs to establish the area as a world class destination for sustainable tourism were set up then. These program benefit both the local communities and the Mexican economy at large in both the long and short term. In the following years we will, no doubt, see the fruits of these labors.