Chetumal’s Colorful Revitalization Program Returns in February

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The program “Rutas Mágicas de Color” is an initiative of the Federal Secretariat of Tourism (Sectur) to beautify Magical Neighborhoods and Magical Towns through painting facades and creating artistic murals, narrating local history and culture, thereby promoting tourism and community development with a vibrant color palette.

Although it was the first phase implemented for the Magical Neighborhood of Chetumal, now after almost two years, this upcoming February the strategy will be resumed to create more attractive and safe environments and improve the urban image of the city’s historic center, according to comments from the Undersecretary of Tourism in the State Omar Govea Hernández.

“We will issue a call and go house by house and business by business, so they can sign the authorization and choose the colors authorized from the color palette, and we will do it in February, once the registration and selection process for the properties is completed; this program seeks to strengthen Chetumal’s visual appeal, attract tourism, and consolidate its positioning as a cultural tourist destination, improving the economy and visual infrastructure and boosting small businesses,” said Govea Hernández.

He explained that although the call will be open to any establishment or house that wishes to join, it is considered to intervene around 10,000 square meters in the first block of the city, placing more emphasis on sections considered as tourist routes, public spaces that will be transformed through this urban revitalization action.

In addition, he said, the Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDE) will grant zero-interest loans to owners of establishments located within the polygon of the Magical Neighborhood, so they can also remodel or rehabilitate their businesses and, in this way, operate under better conditions.

“Regarding the loans, interested parties can go to the offices of the secretariat of economic development or through the social media of both SEDE and the tourism secretariat itself, they can approach to see the requirements and if they can meet them, then have access to these resources,” he added.

Although the declaration of the Magical Neighborhood at the end of November 2022 and the implementation of these strategies have been well received by the business sector, one of the complaints they maintain is that the poor condition of the streets and sidewalks in the center, the lack of public lighting, and providing incentives and greater financing to prevent more businesses from continuing to close must also be addressed.