Perception of potential impacts from the Maya Train Project in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Keywords: Tourism, Sustainability, Transportation, Maya Train, Puerto Morelos
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 79

Abstract

The Maya Train Project (MTP) is a new national megaproject in Mexico, meant to connect the perimeter of the Yucatan Peninsula, and facilitate easier transportation for tourism, industry, and agriculture. Given the region’s dependence on tourism, the train will accelerate the growth, as well as the social and environmental impacts of tourism in the region. Globally, the tourism industry has resulted in inequitable social and environmental impacts for the local communities and there is concern that this new Maya Train Project will serve to accelerate uneven development in the region. This project focused on the coastal tourist city of Puerto Morelos, which is a small town in the state of Quintana Roo, about an hour south of highly urbanized Cancun city. This project used surveys, qualitative interviews with residents and key informants, document, and newspaper analysis to understand the potential impact of the MTP on Puerto Morelos. Preliminary results demonstrate two main themes, individuals who claim to know much of the train obtain most of their information from social media, and they do not perceive much impact from the train therefore do not oppose it. Those who claim to have environmental and social concerns, claim to have a great lack of official information. Findings from this project demonstrate the need to consider diverse impacts on local communities to sustainably plan major infrastructure projects.