Outrage as Feminists Challenge Solo Women Traveler Certification in Tulum

Tulum has become the first location in the Mexican Caribbean, and indeed the country, to be awarded the Destination Certification for Solo Women Travellers. This recognition, however, has sparked outrage among feminist groups who view it as an insult. The certification was announced at a multicultural women's gathering, where local women, expatriates, and tourists shared their experiences. Jorge Molina Pérez, Director General of Economy and Tourism, stated that the discussions covered professional experiences, entrepreneurship, travel, and best practices.

The Feminist Collective of Tulum, a group that provides psychological and legal support to victims in the municipality, has expressed strong opposition to the certification. They argue that it undermines their work supporting victims of abuse. The collective has already assisted at least five foreign female tourists who were victims of rape or sexual abuse this year alone. They have also helped numerous expatriates, but in less than five percent of cases has justice been served.

The certification is backed by the GreetHer platform, a leading service that connects local female guides with women who wish to travel and explore safely. The platform aims to offer women unique experiences and firsthand knowledge of the culture they are visiting.

However, members of the feminist collective argue that the certification glosses over the ongoing issues they face. Cynthia, a member of the collective, stated, "We cannot agree with this idea, when we see every month we are still handling cases and still seeing negligence from the authorities." She cited a recent case involving a 22-year-old foreign tourist who had been raped, which the collective had supported.

The collective emphasizes that the authorities' first priority should be creating a safe environment for everyone in Tulum, not just tourists. They also stress the need for better resourcing of agencies that support victims, such as the Quintana Roo State Women's Institute (IQM) and the Special Group for the Care of Victims of Gender Violence (Geavig) at the municipal level.