An Ecological Theme Park???

[Keith R]

From today's DR1 News:

1. Xcaret Group interested in DR
President Leonel Fernandez met yesterday with a group of Mexican businessmen who are interested in developing an ecological theme park and hotels in what the Presidency web site describes as "areas near the National Park of the East." The further hotel development of the National Park of the East is controversial as many sectors advocate that it be left as a resource sans the hotels.
The top executives of XCaret, an eco-archeological theme park on the Mayan Coast, 75 kms south of Cancun visited with the President. Xcaret has been described as "a Disney-meets-National Geographic" theme park.
The Presidency reported that the Xcaret investors flew over the National Park of the East and have already identified the areas where they would be interested in developing.
Xcaret park executive director Miguel Quintana Pali, David Quintana Morones, Marcos Constandse Redko, who is president of the Association of Owners and Investors of the Riviera Maya, and Rodrigo Constandse visited for XCaret Group, as well as Alejandro Zozaya, representing Am Resort, an affiliate of Apple Vacations. Am Resort operates the Casa del Mar hotel in the area.
The meeting with the President took place at the home of Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. Tourism Minsiter Felix Jimenez and Environment Minister Max Puig also took part, as well as the Fanjul brothers, Eduardo Martinez, Ramon Menendez and Leonardo Matos, for Casa de Campo, the La Romana resort development.

Well, seems now we know one of the reasons Leonel decided not to challenge in court Hippo's flawed national protected areas law last year...

What in the world is an "ecological theme park"?

Anybody familiar with XCaret's existing park in Mexico? If so, should we be happy about their interest in the Parque del Este,or filled with trepidation?

[Mirador]

If you do a quick scan of the 150+ documents listed in google (XCaret - Environmental Protection) your trepidation should go away.

[Keith R]

I'm not so sure...

http://ceakumal.org/bcruise_project_...y_mexicob.html

I've also found that the Mexican Environmental Law Center (Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental - CEMDA) has been opposing Xcaret's cruise ship port project. CEMDA has done some very good work over the years, so this is not good news...

[MaineGirl]

Well, around these parts all the schools visit the fish hatcheries....

[Hipocrito Mejia]

Originally Posted by Keith R

Well, seems now we know one of the reasons Leonel decided not to challenge in court Hippo's flawed national protected areas law last year...

It is really sad to see how easily these greedy, crooked politicians can be bought!

Originally Posted by Keith R

What in the world is an "ecological theme park"?

Whatever it is, we don't need it! That land needs to be left alone and totally protected from any development. If anything, the government needs to make sure that further resources are assigned to remedy whatever damage has been done due to the carelessness of prior administrations.

[Dolores]

Interesting reading, but note the date -- 2001.

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2001/04/15/mas-xcaret.html

Seems there are mixed feelings. It is known that the Casa de Campo owners have land in the area that they have not been allowed to develop in the past -- precisely because it is in a National Park.

May I note that it seems the Mexicans have wised up regarding sustainable development. This group is big time.

President Fernandez is also responsible for allowing Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus to build on a part of the National Park of the East. But that was before there was a law that banned it. Now that the law is ambiguous and has been modified, it is yet to be seen what will happen.

The Air Europa people were not allowed to build their hotel in the area. But these people may have just the right amount of pull.

Stay tuned.

[Dolores]

See the xcaret web site at http://www.xcaret.com/about-us/history.php

On this page is some of their history. The top executives who were here are mentioned.

[Keith R]

Thanks for the article, D. Interesting. Did you see the closing?

El Grupo Xcaret se promueve como el salvador de la naturaleza, mientras que la "acomoda" para los visitantes. A la vez, sus programas de conservación terminan privatizando los recursos naturales de la nación.

This article was before Xcaret started its project on dynamiting the reef to create a mega-pier to bring in Carnaval cruise ships to its US$50 entrance-fee theme park. From what I read in the googled articles and on CEDMA's website, they started opposing the project in 2003 and as of a few months ago were still battling it. Among other things, they alleged that Xcaret failed to supply the appropriate environmental impact assessments (EIA) required by law before they were granted permission to build.

Most of the articles I've found so far (including the one from the Los Angeles Times) also point out that Xcaret promised to generate local employment and community revenues and create education projects, but in fact they have mostly shipped in unskilled labor from outside, their education projects have been to teach their workers foreign languages and since they control all access to the park, including transport in and out, the local business have not benefited.

I was already in communication with one of the best-known writers on eco-tourism in Latin America, Ron Mader, who's based in Mexico, about ideas on the subject for the Green Team blog. I note that in a few of the older articles (1996-7) they quote Ron as critical of Xcaret; I'll ask him what he thinks now, nine years later.

Stay tuned.

[Keith R]

The reason I asked is anyone is familiar with the operation in Mexico -- i.e., have actually visited it, or know someone who has -- is I'd like to hear its pluses and minuses from someone other than Xcaret, any PR firm they hire, or Tourism Minsiter Felix Jimenez, who is hardly an impartial party.

Maybe we should invite the Xcaret people and some activists who work on Parque del Este issues to do a point-counterpoint type of debate on the Green Team blog. Whatcha think?

[paddy]

i've been to this park in mexico...it would be a real plus if they open a park like this in the dr...beautiful place..and that's a understatement.
http://www.xcaret.com/indexxc.php