Cobá, Q.R. — The National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism (Fonatur) has reported on the progress being made between the agency and Ejido landowners after a 24-hour takeover of the archaeological site last month.
Fonatur says that meetings have been held regarding the tourism development project of Nojoch Cobá: Ciudad de los Caminos and for the Cobá Visitor Service Center, which were part of the negotiations made in August.
The meetings, which are part of the follow-up to the agreements with the Ruinas de Cobá Ejido, was headed by the general director of Fonatur, Rogelio Jiménez Pons. More than 120 Ejidos attended, listening to study progress being made in order to start work on the biocultural development project Nojoch Cobá: Ciudad de los Caminos.
A prototype of an upcoming Visitor Service Center was also discussed as a long-term strategic alliance between the Ruinas de Cobá Ejido and Fonatur to collaboratively develop a sustainable community that guarantees economic and social development for residents.
“The proposal is long-term so that the Ejido have a comprehensive offer of products and services to provide the level of tourist demand that is already in the area, which will increase with the arrival of the Maya Train and the Tulum Airport,” said Pons.
“The Nojoch Cobá project is the prelude to a bigger collaboration. The community and the government are a single team that works for a single common goal, benefits, peace and happiness for the communities,” he added.
The President of the Commissariat Ejidal de Ruinas de Cobá, Fausto May Cen, highlighted the fact that most of the ejidatarios attended.
“It means a vote of confidence for Fonatur and the Government of Mexico, as both parties have made progress in complying with the agreements. However, we have to analyze the proposal and respond,” he stated.
The collaborative developments are part of an agreement from mid-August when the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reported the Archaeological Zone of Cobá was closed “until further notice.” Hours later, the Edjios, who own the land the site is on, took it over .
Two days later, an announcement was made by both sides that an agreement between the Ejidos and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) was reached that would see the development of a tourist boardwalk of the Cobá Lagoon and the cenote access road and the construction of a visitor center of the Ejido de Ruinas de Cobá, among others.
