The Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) in Cozumel has experienced a substantial revenue increase this year. The revenue has risen from 32 million pesos to 36 million, marking a 12% growth compared to 2023.

REASONS FOR THE REVENUE BOOST

The director of Zofemat in the municipality, Milton Zavala Aradillas, attributes this increase primarily to the consistent payments made by the concessionaires. These are predominantly beach clubs and tourism-oriented hotels that operate within the federal zone.

ZOFEMAT'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY

According to the director, 30% of this year's revenue will be allocated towards beach cleaning programs, while the remaining funds will be transferred to the Federation. At present, a team of 15 people is tasked with removing up to 10 tons of macroalgae per day. To prepare for the peak season of sargassum arrival, plans are in place to hire an additional 45 people to bolster these efforts.

PAYMENT DEFAULTS

Despite the positive trend in revenue collection, there remains a 14% overdue payment rate. This means that around 40 of the 288 registered concessionaires have not made their payments for several years, with some defaulting for three, five, or even ten years. A significant challenge with these debtor concessionaires is their absence from the island, which complicates tracking and collection efforts. In such instances, the debt files are forwarded to the legal department for further action.