Maritime Industry Protests Skyrocketing Protected Area Fees

The maritime sector in Quintana Roo has initiated discussions with federal lawmakers, urging them to reconsider the proposed doubling of entry fees to protected natural areas in the Federal Government's 2025 revenue budget. They contend that this increase will not only impact tourism but also significantly affect hundreds of service providers due to the anticipated drop in tourist visits to the 18 marine and terrestrial natural areas in Quintana Roo.

Ricardo Muleiro, director of the Nautical Associates of Quintana Roo (ANQ), expressed concern on a national level. He cited other sectors, such as those in Puerto Vallarta, who also deem the fee increase impractical. Muleiro highlighted that some natural areas would charge up to 3,600 pesos per person per day, as in the case of Islas Marías. For Banco Chinchorro, located in southern Quintana Roo, the entry fee would exceed 600 pesos per person.

Muleiro questioned the rationale of using the increased fees to enhance the care of natural areas, especially when the budget for the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas is set to decrease in 2025. In Quintana Roo, the most frequented protected natural area is the National Park Western Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún, and Punta Nizuc. This park, which welcomes over 7,000 visitors daily, would see its entry fee rise from the current 60 pesos to 120 pesos starting in 2025.

According to the ANQ director, this proposed hike could have severe implications for thousands of tourism operators, particularly vulnerable groups such as cooperative societies, small family businesses, and individual entrepreneurs, who contribute significantly to Mexico's tourism.

Furthermore, they argue that the Protected Natural Areas themselves will suffer, as the increased fees could deter both domestic and international tourists. They suggest adopting gradual and fair increases of 3 to 5% over the current fees. They also advocate for prioritizing conservation through sustainable financing and ensuring that the collected funds are used solely for managing and preserving the Protected Natural Areas.

Lastly, they propose the formation of discussion forums that include representatives from the affected sectors. This way, they can collectively find solutions that strike a balance between tourism development and environmental protection.