The vice president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association observes sargassum continuing to wash up on Quintana Roo’s shores in unusually large quantities, while nautical operators in Playa del Carmen have been unable to work for a week. The port had closed due to strong southerly winds; by the time it reopened, sargassum had already blanketed everything.
“Honestly, it affects us significantly,” said Juan Ancona, the water sports manager at Playa Mamitas. This is not an isolated complaint; it reflects the state of the entire sector.
Lotito is calling for a natural disaster declaration that would unlock specific funds to tackle the phenomenon comprehensively. Without such a declaration, resources fail to arrive, and strategies fall short.
The broader context complicates matters further. While Mexico is hosting part of the World Cup, the mere 13 scheduled matches turned high expectations into disappointment. Low tourist numbers across Quintana Roo’s various destinations confirm that the crisis is real and multifaceted.
“Our economy leaves no room for error,” Lotito warns. “There will be a rebound, but we must resolve the major issues before it arrives.”
Sargassum is nothing new to the Mexican Caribbean. However, when combined with port closures, a slow season, and a World Cup that failed to live up to expectations, the luxury of waiting runs out.
📌Source: Reportur – “QRoo: Hoteliers call for sargassum emergency declaration to secure funding”
Source: mexicodailypost
