by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:10 AM ET, Sat May 11, 2019
Government officials in Mexico revealed the invasion of sargassum at Quintana Roo beach destinations would result in a tourism drop of as much as 30 percent this year.
According to MexicoNewsDaily.com, the secretariats of the Environment and Interior said popular destinations Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres would be impacted by the influx of seaweed approaching the shores.
Cancun and Puerto Morelos Hotels Association president Roberto Cintron believes the impact of the sargassum will cost the industry millions of dollars if not adequately addressed by the federal government.
Cintron also said the viability of the Maya Train project and the National Tourism Promotion Fund could be at risk if visitor numbers decline. He cited a 40 percent cancellation of hotel reservations recently in Mahahual due to large deposits of sargassum.
"Quintana Roo attracts 50 percent of international tourists who arrive in the country, Fonatur depends on the non-resident tax that international tourists pay," Cintron said. "If that's affected by 50 percent, the Maya Train, as well as the fund for international promotion and the National Tourism Promotion Fund, will be at risk."
"The problem will grow to a national scale because if there is a reduction [in funds] for the organization in charge of international promotion, other tourist centers like Los Cabos will be affected, they all need international promotion," Cintron added.
Earlier this week, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced the Secretariat of the Navy would use the country's experts and equipment to combat the arrival of as much as 1.1 million tons of sargassum in 2019.
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