“Xcaret Cancels Mega Hotel Project in Maya Jungle – Greenpeace Celebrates!”

The Xcaret Group has reportedly ceased plans for a significant development project in the Maya jungle near the Uxmal archaeological site, located in Santa Elena, Yucatán. This decision follows concerns raised by environmental organization Greenpeace, who claimed the project posed a threat to the surrounding ecosystem. The project involved the construction of nine hotels.

Greenpeace revealed that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) put an end to the Environmental Impact and Land Use Change Assessment Procedure in Forest Land on July 29, 2024. This procedure was requested by the tourism company Alto Comercializadora y Operadora Turística S. DE RL DE CV, for two plots of land adjacent to the Uxmal site. These plots are owned by the children of Miguel Quintana Pali, the director of the Xcaret Group.

On July 19, 2024, Greenpeace submitted a document to Semarnat outlining several environmental concerns about the proposed project. These included the potential for urbanization of the Maya jungle, lack of measures to protect threatened species, concerns about potential damage to the aquifer, and the project's incompatibility with long-term policies aimed at preserving environmentally valuable areas in the face of the climate crisis. As a result, Greenpeace urged the authority to deny the company's request for a land use change.

Greenpeace explained that the expansive project would have led to the deforestation of over 150 hectares of jungle, equating to the loss of approximately 165,000 trees. The plans also included the construction of nine 18-story hotels, extensive ground excavation for artificial features like a 59-meter waterfall, a canyon, and a structure referred to as "The Cathedral". The company's plans also indicated intentions for further development of large plots of land for additional tourist and residential projects over a 100-year period, implying even greater future environmental impacts.

Greenpeace Mexico hailed Xcaret's decision to abandon the project as a victory for the Maya jungle. They also acknowledged the influence of public opinion and media attention in the decision-making process.