WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), a research and policy institute affiliated with Stanford University, released a new report designed to assist large-scale coastal tourism projects in Mexico meet internationally recognized standards for sustainable development. The report, Alternative Development Models and Good Practices for Sustainable Coastal Tourism: A Framework for Decision Makers in Mexico, compiles existing good practices for resorts, vacation homes, marinas and golf courses in a clear, user-friendly format.
“This is not a technical manual for engineers, nor a tip sheet for travelers,” says co-author David Krantz, “but rather a practical handbook based on existing good practices in use today. It can serve as a basis for development decisions and tourism policy going forward.”
Coastal tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry, both globally and in Mexico. Coast lines and oceans—including mangroves, aquifers, and coral reefs—are being heavily impacted by large-scale tourism-related development. Despite this, the Mexican government’s tourism development agency, FONATUR, continues to build huge all-inclusive resort complexes modeled after Cancun.
An Alternative to Traditional Development
“There has been a lot of talk about sustainability in Mexico’s tourism development over the last few years, but the public and private sectors continue to pursue conventional models without meaningful change,” says Dr. Martha Honey, CREST co-director and co-author of the report. “That’s why we put this Framework together—to demonstrate that there is an alternative, and to show what it looks like.”
The CREST study also discusses the increasing consumer interest in more socially and environmentally responsive types of tourism. Tourism is one of Mexico’s most important industries, but Mexico’s global ranking for tourist arrivals and earnings has fallen over the last decade. The CREST study argues that Mexico can improve its international competitiveness by catering to a more informed and conscientious tourism market. Mexico’s “emphasis,” the report argues, “should be on high value, not simply high volume tourism.”
The research findings, analysis, and recommendations in this report are intended to play a constructive role in helping to foment public discussion, civic engagement, and policy reforms to ensure sustainable development of coastal and marine tourism.
The report is available for download in Spanish and English by clicking here.
