Tulum, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) has appointed a new local director in Tulum in an effort to ease months of tension with the tourism sector over the operation of the Jaguar Park.
Biologist Elvira Carvajal Hinojosa was introduced as the new Conanp head in Tulum and held a meeting with tourism representatives who have voiced complaints about the park’s impact on local businesses.
During the meeting, business owners and tour operators reiterated concerns about access, mobility, and a drop in visitor numbers to beaches and nearby shops, which they say has hurt the local economy.
According to participants, the main goal of the meeting was to begin rebuilding communication between environmental authorities and the tourism industry after months of public complaints and accusations over economic losses in Tulum.
Carvajal acknowledged the need to strengthen coordination with tourism stakeholders and proposed maintaining dialogue tables to find solutions to improve current conditions.
Service providers have repeatedly reported a significant decline in sales and tourist flow, which they attribute in part to restrictions linked to the Jaguar Park. Merchants, artisans, and tourism workers have called for changes to the park’s operation and access schemes.
With the change in Conanp’s local leadership, business leaders hope for greater openness to address their demands and reduce friction between environmental authorities and the tourism sector.
