Tourism Group Urges Mexican Lawmakers to Reverse 100% Fee Hike for Protected Natural Areas

Mexico City — A tourism association from Quintana Roo has formally asked Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies to reverse a 100% increase in fees for accessing federally protected natural areas, arguing the hike is damaging the formal tourism sector and local economies.

The Asociados Náuticos Quintana Roo (ANQR) association presented its request on Tuesday to Deputy Freyda Marybel Villegas Canché. The group also met with Deputy Ricardo Monreal Ávila, the coordinator of the ruling Morena party and president of the Political Coordination Board, to express concerns about the measure implemented in 2025.

The fee increase is outlined in Article 198 of Mexico’s Federal Rights Law. ANQR representatives warned that the doubling of access fees has directly impacted formal tourism, reduced destination competitiveness, and hurt communities that depend on nature-based tourism, particularly in states like Quintana Roo.

Ricardo Muleiro López, ANQR’s executive director, emphasized that the association supports environmental conservation but questions the funding mechanism. “We are not against conservation; on the contrary, we fully support it,” Muleiro said. “What we are pointing out is that you cannot pretend to protect Natural Protected Areas through a 100% increase that punishes formal businesses.”

The organization argued the hike has made visits more expensive for tourists, reduced competitiveness against other destinations, squeezed profit margins for legitimate companies, and encouraged informal and unfair competition.

ANQR said its proposal aims not to weaken environmental protection but to restore proportionality and balance that would harmonize conservation with the economic viability of tourism and the jobs it creates.

The association’s request will be formally submitted and should be published in the Parliamentary Gazette by Friday, advancing it for legislative review. ANQR reiterated its willingness to participate in technical and legislative discussions to develop a solution benefiting the environment, communities, and the tourism sector.