Mahahual, Q.R. — Officials say the Perfect Day Mexico project for Mahahual will produce unprecedented economic benefits. Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, defends the mega-project amid controversy.
He says the private Royal Caribbean project is supported by the government and will benefit Costa Maya.
“It’s a private project. The governor has instructed us that the company developing it must publicize it so the public knows what the benefits will be,” he said.
Since the official takeover announcement in July, environmentalists have opposed Royal Caribbean’s planned megaproject for the Port of Mahahual. They say that other Royal Caribbean projects, such as the one at CocoCay in the Bahamas, led to the elimination of mangroves, reef pollution and the exclusion of the local population from beach areas.
According to Cueto Riestra, the project, a water park and entertainment complex on more than 90 hectares adjacent to Puerto Costa Maya, will generate more than 1,000 direct jobs, doubling Mahahual’s economically active population.
He also stated that millions of cruise ship passengers could arrive with a “significant influx of resources” and a positive impact on the community.
The head of Tourism emphasized that the “most important” aspect is that the project safeguards social well-being, generates a positive impact and aligns with the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan designed for Mahahual with the goal of ensuring “uniform opportunities for all residents”.
In July, Jay Schnaider, the Director of Product Innovation for Royal Caribbean, announced the company’s official takeover of the port in an $821.3 million USD mega-deal.
“We are now administrators of the port and have begun working on the development of Perfect Day Mahahual,” said the company representative. According to Schnaider, the Port of Mahahual will remain open during the extensive two-year renovation process.
