Tourism Official Calls for Transparency on Cruise Ship Fund for Mahahual

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — A local tourism official is calling on state authorities to provide a full accounting of a cruise ship fund intended for tourism improvements in Mahahual, saying the coastal community shows signs of “notable abandonment.”

Gustavo Pech Galera, president of the Tourism Commission in the Othón P. Blanco municipal council, clarified that the state government has not yet presented a financial report for the fund, which is designated for tourism upgrades in Mahahual and Cozumel. He acknowledged the urgent need to address the community’s issues.

Pech Galera recalled being invited two months ago to participate in a working group to discuss actions to be taken with the fund’s resources, aiming to “determine actions in social and security matters to respond to the needs Mahahual has at this moment.”

He stated that the exact amount collected through the cruise ship fund remains unknown. “I understand the state must provide that report at the state level, and we hope it will be done soon through the Tourism Commission, through the secretariat,” he emphasized.

When questioned about the support Mahahual receives compared to Cozumel—where a road repaving and tourism infrastructure improvement program was recently announced—Pech Galera noted that community residents have held demonstrations on multiple occasions demanding intervention from state and municipal governments to address their grievances.

He reiterated that Mahahual feels abandoned but is now raising its voice to be heard. “A meeting with the responsible authorities is required, and we hope the Tourism Secretary and those in charge of the issue will speak out about the case,” he concluded.