The unrelenting influx of sargassum in Playa del Carmen has become a major concern for the local tourism industry, with many tourists opting out of beach activities and tours due to the unpleasant conditions.
According to José Gómez Burgos, secretary of the Caribbean Sea Tourism Cooperative, the El Recodo beach area, where tour boats are typically docked, has been severely affected by the sargassum buildup. The strong smell of decomposed sargassum and difficulty of navigating through the coastal stretch have driven tourists away.
“It’s very difficult to operate in unstable conditions,” Gómez Burgos said. “People can’t access the beaches, they can’t get on the boats. We try to adapt by taking them to other places, but they still cancel because they don’t see favorable conditions for the activity.”
The cooperative offers offshore tours primarily for sport fishing, and the sargassum has already taken a toll on their business. Gómez Burgos reported that several tour cancellations have occurred daily due to the unsatisfactory conditions.
In addition to impacting tourism, the sargassum buildup poses a significant risk to boat engines. The macroalgae can cause severe damage to these expensive machines, which cost upwards of 20,000 pesos to replace or repair.
“The transmissions get damaged by the sargassum,” Gómez Burgos explained. “They collapse, and we have to repair them.”
Despite efforts by municipal workers and the Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone Directorate (Zofemat) to remove the sargassum, hundreds of tons continue to arrive in Playa del Carmen, burying beaches and affecting local businesses.
As the situation worsens, concerns grow about the long-term impact on the city’s tourist industry. The once-thriving beach destination is now struggling to cope with the aftermath of the sargassum invasion, leaving many to wonder when the tide will turn in favor of tourism.
Source: Sipse
