Quintana Roo Nautical Sector Proposes Reduced Fees for Protected Natural Areas

Quintana Roo, Mexico — A proposal to reduce entry fees to Protected Natural Areas (ANP) has been scheduled for a vote in the coming weeks in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies, following intense lobbying by the tourism sector, particularly from Quintana Roo.

Francisco Fernández Millán, president of the Nautical Associates of Quintana Roo (ANQR), announced that after meetings with federal lawmakers, the issue has been formally placed on the legislative calendar. Initial discussions are expected in committees, followed by a full floor vote.

“We presented the real impacts of the 100% increase in entry fees to natural areas nationwide, mainly the significant drop in visitors and the loss of competitiveness for nature tourism,” Fernández Millán said.

The fee hike, implemented in 2025, doubled the general entry cost per person at many ANPs, with variations depending on the site and type of activity. While the measure aimed to boost conservation funding through the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), it has had counterproductive effects in tourist regions like Quintana Roo.

Nautical activities, island tours, cenotes, and reserves such as Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Banco Chinchorro depend heavily on regulated access to these spaces. According to ANQR data, the sector has seen demand drops of up to 40% in some periods, with low occupancy on boats and among formal service providers.

This not only hurts the local economy — which generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs — but also encourages informality and unfair competition, as irregular operators evade the high fees.

“We are not opposed to conservation; on the contrary, we are allies in protecting these ecosystems. What we ask for is a reasonable balance that allows the economic viability of companies that operate responsibly,” Fernández Millán emphasized.

The nautical association hopes lawmakers will consider concrete data on the decline in visitors and the socioeconomic impact, proposing a return to more affordable rates or compensation mechanisms that strengthen conservation without harming tourism.