Bacalar, Q.R. — The hotel sector of Bacalar is demanding that laws be extended to the recreational tourist areas after an investigation revealed a problem with noise pollution.
A recent investigation by the Cámara Nacional de Comercio y Servicios Turísticos (Canaco-Servytur) showed that noise pollution is the main problem reported by tourists, according to Linda Argaez Calderón, president of the Hotel Association of Bacalar.
She says that there are many who violate the noise levels permitted under NOM-81, adding that the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) and the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente (SEMA), as well as the municipality of Bacalar need to apply the Norma Oficial Mexicana that establishes the maximum noise levels from fixed sources.
“One of the reasons why tourists come to our Magic Town is tranquility, which we are losing, so it is necessary that we be more responsible in the handling of noise allowed (…) In fact, we in the hotels are receiving constant complaints from guests,” she said.
“We have suffered situations where guests have asked us to return the money they paid or have had to relocate due to the noise of carpentry and blacksmith shops who play their sound equipment at high volumes to attract customers,” she added.
Argaez Calderón explained that noise from the lagoon is also an ongoing problem, but from private boats since local tourist providers are aware of the noise situation and understand tourists come to the area for the quiet.
She says that local tourist providers understand the importance of maintaining tranquility and that things such as birds are a tourist attraction that should be preserved. She also says that the problem lies in private boats on the lagoon.
“The problem is with the private individuals who arrive with their boats and disturb the tourists. We have seen many individuals park their boats on the island of birds, which take flight from the noise of boats and sound equipment. We cannot allow that,” she said.
