Mexican Awards Honor Sustainable Tourism & Sargazo Innovations

The inaugural Mexican Awards for Sustainable, Inclusive, and Fair Tourism recently took place, celebrating projects that positively impact local communities and tourism. The event was spearheaded by the Riviera Maya Hotel Association and a civil association, and it encouraged submissions from companies, universities, and students nationwide.

Among the winners was Grupo Xcaret's "Soft Hands" project, which employs individuals with hearing impairments in a variety of roles, from customer service to performing arts. The project has established a protocol to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities, thereby promoting inclusive tourism.

The awards ceremony also unveiled Quintana Roo's new tourist image for 2025. The modern vision is deeply rooted in pre-Hispanic culture, local cuisine, and the state's natural attractions. The image is a collaborative effort between the business and government sectors.

Innovation was a key theme at the awards, particularly in relation to sargazo, a seaweed that poses a significant environmental challenge to the Caribbean coast. Three proposals for sustainable products made from sargazo were recognized. Two of these, developed by students from UNAM and the National Polytechnic Institute, were lauded for their potential impact. One initiative suggests collecting sargazo from the open sea to convert into energy, while another proposes creating construction blocks from the seaweed. A company that utilizes 3D printers to construct structures that aid in coral regeneration was also acknowledged.

In a discussion with SQCS, it was emphasized that sargazo not only impacts the region's tourism image but also the marine ecosystem. The projects underscore the commitment of academia, businesses, and the government to find environmentally friendly solutions that utilize this resource.

Institutions like BBVA played a crucial role in fostering the research and development of these initiatives. Despite uncertainties about future sargazo influxes, these projects aim to offer sustainable solutions to the ongoing problem.