Government Rejects Royal Caribbean’s Ecological Park Proposal

Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena stated that Royal Caribbean’s controversial “Perfect Day” project in Quintana Roo will not be approved.

The company had planned to develop a major tourist attraction in Mahahual. A coastal town in the southern part of the state located near a coral reef.

“I would like to inform you that Royal Caribbean’s project will not be approved,” Bárcena said in a video from an event broadcast on social media.

“We know that the company is also seeking to withdraw from the project itself, but we at Semarnat will not approve it,” she added.

According to local media, Bárcena stated that the decision was based on the ecological importance of the area. And the need to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems associated with the reef.

According to Royal Caribbean, it has not yet received any information about the decision.

The concept aimed for up to 20,000 cruise passengers to be received daily in Mahahual. A port of call that raised questions about the impact on the ecology and the demand from tourists on Quintana Roo’s southern coast.

The second-largest coral reef system in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef System, will be next to the development.

The statement comes in the wake of criticism from environmental organizations warning of a potential impact on reefs, mangroves, the coastline, and ecosystems in the Mexican Caribbean.

Among the NGOs, Greenpeace Mexico and Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS) have been particularly vocal. Questioning the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted by Royal Caribbean.

More than 4.5 million people have signed a petition to halt the project, citing potential risks to protected mangroves, coral reefs, sea turtle nesting areas, and coastal ecosystems.