Tulum’s Jaguar Park Report to Address Tourism Crisis

TULUM — The heads of the federal Tourism and Urban Development ministries will present a report at the President of Mexico's morning conference next week to address complaints from residents, artisans, and hoteliers in Tulum regarding a tourism downturn linked to fees and restrictions at the Jaguar Park, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced this Tuesday.

The issue of beach access at the Jaguar Park is also being handled with the General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as it is this agency that "must establish where the entrances are, where they are not, the signage, and other elements," the head of the Executive Branch said.

"The Secretary of Tourism will come to present everything related to Tulum, and also Edna Vega, because there must be a territorial planning program together with the municipality; all of that is being worked on. I believe she can come next week," Sheinbaum stated during the conference at the National Palace.

The report will also address the lack of beach access due to the monopolization by hotels, an issue that has been denounced for years during the presidential conference.

As previously reported, the federal Secretary of Tourism visited Tulum last week to address the grievances, first holding a meeting with hoteliers and then conducting a tour of the Jaguar Park and its access points.

Josefina Rodríguez is expected to return to Tulum this Wednesday to meet with tour operators inside the park to address issues related to its operation.

During the meeting with hoteliers, the sector presented to the head of the Tourism Ministry that the park's current operational scheme, administered by the Secretariat of National Defense, has had a negative impact on Tulum's economy. Merchants, tour guides, and hoteliers reported a drop of more than 40 percent in their income since the project was inaugurated.

Furthermore, they demanded a review of the high access fees, which range from 105 to 500 pesos, arguing that these have deterred thousands of visitors from the archaeological zone and the coastal strip.