Sustainable Tourism Development in Quintana Roo, Mexico

The report analyses the potential solutions and policies for managing sustainable tourism development in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It discusses the challenges and strategies for preserving natural resources and promoting responsible consumption and production. The report also highlights the five principles of sustainable development of tourism and the 2030 goals of sustainable tourism practices.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Sustainability Issues and Challenges.........................................................................................2
Solutions and Strategies.............................................................................................................3
Summary and critical evaluation of the tourism development...................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The report throws light on the different SDG’s which are inclusive of decent work
and economic growth, responsible Consumption and Production and the Preservation of
the Natural Habitat which plays a major role in improving the overall tourism aspects at
Quintana Roo situated in Mexico. The main aim and purpose of the report are to analyse the
potential solutions along with policies which will be assisting in managing the overall aspects
positively.
Sustainability Issues and Challenges
As commented by Avila-Foucat and Rodríguez-Robayo (2018), sustainability is
defined as the aspect which is inclusive of the avoidance of the depletion of the natural
resources as to maintain ecological balance. On the other hand, Luna and Rodríguez (2018),
have commented that sustainable tourism is defined as the industry which committed of
making less impact on environment and local culture and provide positive experience to
individuals.
There are different kinds of sustainability issues and challenges which are faced by
the tourism industry at Quintana Roo. The primary usage of natural resources of Islas
Mujeres Cozumel is sea, sand and sun. The nature of tourism in Mexico is complex, and they
are the major threats to environmental resources have aroused within and outside the sector.
Water Pollution- This is one of the significant impacts wherein the tourism industry
has on the overall environment. In the hotel industry, this has generated more than 95% of
total sewage water which is beyond the capacity of handling by the sewage treatment plants.
Spills and discharge of oil and petrol and other toxic chemicals impact the cruise industry on
water quality (Luna and Rodríguez 2018).

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Solid Waste- This is the other aspect wherein different tourism sectors generates a
substantial amount of solid waste which impacts the environment. An increasing number of
tourists and growth in population have transformed the overall city with high solid waste
production. The disposal of waste production has become a serious issue with high
concentrations of related tourist activities. The solid waste and littering have posed a
considerable threat to the physical appearance of water, and this has caused death to marine
animals.
Ecosystem Alteration- The tourism in Quintana Roo is based on natural resources,
sand and sea. Additionally, there are different essential resources such as coral reefs and
cenote helps in denoting that these are the critical assets in the local tourism industry. The
overcrowding along with inefficient disposal of waste on beaches can result in pollution in
the form of liquid and solid waste (Griggs et al. 2013).
Solutions and Strategies
There are different solutions and strategies which can be analysed to do planning
towards conversation. There are major strategies or measures which are required to be
undertaken by Quintana Roo in Mexico tourism industry.
General and Social Measures
Proper participation of different stakeholders in monitoring and managing the tourism
impacts through creation of NGOs such as Intersectorial Group Cozumel Island which will
help in making tourism more sustainable (Griggs et al. 2013).
Environmental Measures

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Proper development of the accessible beach in Mexico along with diversification of
the tourism related products which will be helpful in attracting diverse market segments
which is inclusive of sports tourism and luxury tourism.
Organizational Measures
 There are different programs such as Clean Beach Program Certification
 Health and hygiene related certification for food and beverage establishments
Lastly, there can be inclusion of the different new innovative solutions wherein
Cozumel is the set of the smart destination in Mexico and it will be beneficial for the overall
growth of the firm.
Summary and critical evaluation of the tourism development
From the above, this can be summarized that sustainable development is vision along
with a way of acting and thinking as to secure the resources and environment for future
generation (Basu 2017). Moreover, there are major five principles of the sustainable
development of tourism which will be beneficial in managing the overall heritage and saving
natural resources which will be beneficial for sustainable development.
To implement the development of tourism in Quintana Roo, the transformation and
sustainable development policy of 2030 as this agenda is a plan for action for planet,
prosperity and people (Clausen and Gyimóthy 2016). There are different goals and targets
which will help in the next fifteen years as this will enhance sustainable development.
 Decent Work and Economic Growth- With the help of the same, by 2030, the entire
tourism industry can achieve full along with productive decent work and employment
which will be inclusive for young people and people with various disabilities.
Everyone will be paid equally with equal value for the different tasks (Basu 2017).

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 Responsible Consumption and Production- The main aim is to “doing more and better
with less,” which will be beneficial in increasing the welfare related gains from the
different economic activities by reducing the usage of resources along with
degradation and pollution. The main motive of the respective SDG is to promote
wellbeing and increase efficiency of the energy and providing access to the basic
services which will be providing better life quality to the individuals (Brenner and
Fricke 2016).
 Preservation of the Natural Habitat- It is the last SDG in which the main practice is to
conserve, protect along with restore habitat areas for the wild plants and animals
especially which is inclusive of the conservation of the rare species which will help in
preventing them from extinction or reduction in range (Clausen and Gyimóthy 2016).
From the 2030 goals of sustainable tourism practices, this can be analysed that
sustainable tourism can be initiated with broad-based community inputs as this will be
helpful in controlling the development of tourism appropriately.
Figure 1: Sustainable Development Goals
(Source: Avila-Foucat and Rodríguez-Robayo 2018)

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References
Avila-Foucat, V.S. and Rodríguez-Robayo, K.J., 2018. Determinants of livelihood
diversification: The case wildlife tourism in four coastal communities in Oaxaca,
Mexico. Tourism Management, 69, pp.223-231.
Basu, P.K., 2017. Is sustainable tourism development possible? Broad issues concerning
Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Tourism and Economic Development (pp. 140-149).
Routledge.
Brenner, L. and Fricke, J., 2016. Lifestyle entrepreneurs, hostels and backpacker tourism
development: the case of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico. El PeriploSustentable, (31).
Clausen, H.B. and Gyimóthy, S., 2016. Seizing community participation in sustainable
development: Pueblos Mágicos of Mexico. Journal of Cleaner Production, 111, pp.318-326.
Griggs, D., Stafford-Smith, M., Gaffney, O., Rockström, J., Öhman, M.C., Shyamsundar, P.,
Steffen, W., Glaser, G., Kanie, N. and Noble, I., 2013. Policy: Sustainable development goals
for people and planet. Nature, 495(7441), p.305.
Luna, D.V. and Rodríguez, D.A.L., 2018. Contrasting perceptions as analysis indicators for
alternative tourism: A challenge for sustainable development in Veracruz, Mexico. El
PeriploSustentable. Vol, 34.