Cruise Taxis Seek Royal Caribbean Help in Fee Dispute

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Transporters from Mahahual have reported that, after more than four months of conflict over increased access fees to the Chacchoben archaeological zone, neither the state nor the federal government has established the promised dialogue tables. They stated that the lack of responses has forced them to seek support directly from the cruise line Royal Caribbean.

Transporters Expose Their Discontent

Juan Manuel Lanz, the leader of the taxi drivers, detailed that he held a meeting with the new president of Royal Caribbean in Mexico, Ari Adler Brotman, to whom he presented the discontent generated by the agreement between the Chacchoben ejido and the private company Maya Conexión.

He explained that this agreement raised the per-person entrance cost from two to seven dollars and set a parking fee of four dollars, which directly affects the competitiveness of the transporters against the company.

Authorities Evade a Solution

According to Lanz, the representative from Royal Caribbean committed to reviewing the case and seeking alternatives to mitigate the impacts. Meanwhile, in Quintana Roo, he assured, the authorities have evaded the problem.

"We feel abandoned. We have requested support from the State Government and the Federation because it is not fair for a single company to monopolize tourism and harm an entire community," he expressed.

Immediate Measures by Transporters

The discontent is worsening because Chacchoben received between January and June of this year 134,858 visitors, 94 percent of whom were foreigners arriving by cruise ship to Puerto Costa Maya.

As an immediate measure, the transporters plan to suspend the additional parking charge and open an inclusive dialogue process with authorities, cruise lines, the ejido, and service providers.

Finally, should agreements not be reached, they warned that they could prevent cruise ship tourists from accessing the Chacchoben archaeological site.