Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R. — National Geographic has included Maya Ka’an among the best global destinations of 2027. In their article, the magazine highlights the region’s community tourism model.
Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, says the inclusion of Maya Ka’an among the best destinations to visit in 2027 reaffirms the value of community tourism as a way to generate shared prosperity and preserve heritage.
National Geographic highlights experiences led by Mayan communities, which allow visitors to learn about their traditions, gastronomy, and natural wealth, while contributing to the conservation of their cultural and environmental heritage.
Rodríguez Zamora commented that this international recognition reflects the value of a model that the Government of Mexico promotes to bring the benefits of tourism to more communities in the country, strengthen local economies and preserve the biocultural richness of Mexico.
“Maya Ka’an demonstrates that it is possible to offer authentic experiences, conserve our natural and cultural heritage, and generate opportunities for families. We want this model to be strengthened and reach more regions of the country, because tourism should translate into well-being and shared prosperity,” she said.
In its Best of the World 2027 selection, the international publication highlights that Maya Ka’an is home to indigenous Mayan communities that have protected their jungles and lagoon systems, and that offer experiences linked to their traditions, gastronomy, crafts and ancestral knowledge.
Highlights include Mayan embroidery workshops in X-Pichil, tours with local producers in Señor, nature experiences at the Muyil Lagoon and the mangroves of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and cultural activities in Tihosuco and Chunhuhub. The magazine also emphasizes the importance of community participation in the conservation of the region’s ecosystems and heritage.
Rodríguez Zamora emphasized that as part of the strategy promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the Ministry of Tourism and the National Fund for Tourism Development (Fonatur) headed by Sebastián Ramírez Mendoza, are working to strengthen community tourism throughout the country through tools that allow the recognition of experiences, expand their promotion and generate opportunities for those who develop them.
“With the Community Tourism Distinction and the National Guide to Community Tourism Experiences, we are strengthening the tools for communities to showcase their heritage, consolidate their projects, and have greater opportunities to participate in tourism. The goal is for tourism to reach more areas and for its benefits to directly impact people’s lives,” he stated.
In the case of Maya Ka’an, the Government of Mexico and the Government of Quintana Roo have established coordination mechanisms to promote the orderly development of the destination through planning, infrastructure, equipment and promotion actions, with the purpose of strengthening tourism activity and generating benefits for the communities of the region.
“Maya Ka’an shows us that when communities take the lead, our identity is strengthened, our heritage is preserved, and prosperity reaches families. That is the kind of tourism we want for Mexico: tourism with a human face and shared prosperity,” said Rodríguez Zamora.
