The news follows years of healthy growth in the sector and comes as the government launches a new tourism plan. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) announced the National Tourism Strategy 2019-24 in Chetumal on February 24, highlighting the government’s intention to use the sector as a vehicle for regional development, job creation, social inclusion and equality. Within this framework, the construction of a ‘Maya Train’ in the relatively poor south of the country will be the sector’s priority.
The lack of a formal environmental impact assessment for the Maya Train puts the environment, and its long-term tourism potential, at risk.
Business’s mistrust of AMLO, and the potential downgrading of Mexico’s sovereign ratings, threaten infrastructure investment hopes.
SECTUR’s move to Quintana Roo feeds into the government’s decentralisation rhetoric but will not necessarily help boost sectoral growth.
Plans to incentivise domestic travel by the poor may increase tourism numbers and quality of life but will bring few economic benefits.
