Mahahual’s Infrastructure Lags Behind Tourism Growth

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Mahahual is preparing for unprecedented tourism growth by 2027, driven by multi-million dollar investments from transnational corporations like Royal Caribbean Group with its Perfect Day Mexico project. However, local business leaders are warning that the destination's development is not being matched by the necessary public infrastructure and services.

Gerardo Pérez Zafra, the delegate of the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex) Chetumal in Mahahual, stated that the community faces deficiencies in key areas such as healthcare, roadways, and public spaces, despite being one of the main tourist points in Quintana Roo.

Pérez Zafra indicated that the arrival of large-scale projects, like those from Royal Caribbean, will increase the influx of visitors and the demand for basic services, but so far, no public works plans have been finalized to accompany this growth.

"Mahahual has all the problems of a big city, but without the necessary infrastructure. We want the investments to serve the needs of those of us who live and work here," he commented.

The business leader emphasized that although the state collects a tourism trust fund of 5 dollars per visitor, the resources have not been reflected in visible improvements for the community. In response, more than 100 business owners have signed a petition to be delivered to the Secretariat of Planning and Finance (Seciplan) requesting participation in the committee that administers the trust fund.

"We are the ones who have bet on Mahahual, who have faced hurricanes, pandemics, and sargassum. We want a voice in the decisions to plan development in an orderly and sustainable manner," expressed Pérez Zafra.

Among the proposals from the business owners are the rehabilitation of the town center, the creation of cultural spaces and museums to diversify the tourist offering, as well as improvements in healthcare services.

"It's not just about growing, but about doing it well. The infrastructure must arrive before Mahahual becomes saturated," he concluded.