“Caribbean Hoteliers Unite to Fight Sargasso Menace and Save Beaches”

Hoteliers across the Mexican Caribbean, including Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya, are joining forces to combat the ongoing issue of Sargasso seaweed. They aim to reduce costs and clean the beaches through a collaborative agreement.

The Riviera Maya Hotel Association is spearheading the initiative to establish a company. This would enable its members to collectively purchase necessary equipment and contract services to detect, contain, and remove the seaweed from the beaches.

This initiative follows a successful model already implemented by the Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association. They have been operating a similar company since December 2020.

José Chapur, president of the Cancun Hotel Association, shared that within seven months of operation, they have invested over 16 million pesos in the purchase of two sweepers, a boat, and a conveyor belt. The equipment is capable of containing up to 20 tonnes and cleaning 80 linear meters of beach per day.

Furthermore, the hotels are coordinating with the Navy, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. This collaboration aims to enhance beach cleaning efforts in the region.

The persistent presence of Sargasso on the Caribbean coasts has been a significant issue in recent years, impacting tourism and the local economy. Through these collaborative agreements, the hoteliers are not only aiming to cut cleaning costs but also to combat this issue more effectively as a united front.