turismo Archives - CLIMATE.BLUE

Tourism can be a sustainable activity that boosts economic reactivation, while at the same time protecting natural capital, by reducing the vulnerability of destinations to climate change. Since 2017, Guanajuato has been working closely with the project “Ecosystem-based adaptation for the tourism sector in Mexico” (ADAPTUR) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on a first phase in San Miguel de Allende. It is one of the 3 pilot sites and where 5 of the 7 ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) measures targeted by the project were implemented. In this site, the measures focused on soil recovery and water provision, implemented with the support of the municipal government and civil society associations.

From left to right: María Isabel Ortiz Mantilla Head of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Planning (SMAOT), Juan José Álvarez Brunel Head of the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR GTO) and Ana Lorena Gudiño Valdez Director of the ADAPTUR project © SECTUR GTO

For the second phase of the project, the focus has broadened to include joint work at the state level between the Ministries of Environment and Land Management (SMAOT) and Tourism (SECTUR), with the support of ADAPTUR and Reforestemos México A.C. It aims to make progress on climate change adaptation in the state and strengthen the links between the tourism and environmental sectors through coordinated interagency work. In addition, this process has actively involved the private tourism sector through a mechanism for financing EbA measures in state Natural Protected Areas (NPAs). These areas have high economic value because they are key to the provision of ecosystem services, tourism and the reduction of the sector’s vulnerability to climate change.

Event with the private tourism sector to present the alliance and Emblem Project © SECTUR GTO

The process is known as the “Emblem Project” for being a pioneer in the field at the regional and national level. As part of the project, a roadmap has been designed to compile lessons learned and promote the replication of these efforts by other interested states. These types of alliances are becoming increasingly meaningful and important in promoting a green economic recovery that guarantees the wellbeing of people and ecosystems, understanding that one cannot exist without the other.

Images of floods, beaches full of seaweed, dry landscapes, and tourist infrastructure destroyed by the last hurricane demonstrate the vulnerability of the tourism business time and again. Although the urgent must be addressed, at the same time it is a priority to prepare the business for a future with a more extreme and uncertain climate.

The Guide is the first of its kind in Mexico and offers innovative recommendations for companies to integrate climate change and adaptation approaches during the planning processes of real estate tourism investment projects.

Infrastructure damage in Los Cabos from hurricane Odile in 2014. IMPLAN Los Cabos

Among the recommendations, green solutions are emphasized, providing long-term social, environmental and economic benefits –not only to businesses, but also to the tourist destination and its inhabitants.

As mentioned by Dr. Rafael del Villar, advisor to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) at the event: “This guide will help make the tourism sector in the country more competitive; it will do so by reducing the cost of investment through actions of risk mitigation and reduction, and also by facilitating that these investments are in line with the growing demand for environmentally friendly tourism.”

The presentation took place within the framework of the ADAPTUR project on November 13, 2020, with the participation of around one hundred people with a high level of influence, including executives from 40 leading investment companies, developers and consulting firms in the sector, as well as the National Tourism Promotion Fund (FONATUR), the Resident Directorate of GIZ in Mexico, the General Directorate of Climate Change Policies (DGPCC) at SEMARNAT, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), the Bank of Mexico and representatives of the state and municipal governments of Guanajuato, Nayarit, Jalisco and Quintana Roo –among others.

The document is available for download at ADAPTUR (in spanish) and in english click here.

For the first time, these reports offer economic figures of what it would mean to lose natural capital (beaches, reefs, jungles, forests, etc.) and the services they provide (water, protection, scenic beauty, etc.) for tourism businesses in San Miguel de Allende, the Riviera Nayarit-Jalisco and the Riviera Maya.

Cover of the report for Riviera Maya. GIZ-ADAPTUR

Likewise, it estimates the annual losses associated with the direct impact of climate change on buildings (hotels) and supporting infrastructure (roads, hospitals, airports, etc.).

To cite one example, if San Miguel de Allende does not carry out adaptation actions, it is estimated that by 2030 it could face an annual economic risk between $10.28 – $17.11 million dollars, considering that the scarcity of water as well as floods present the highest risks for the operation of businesses.

Damages from Hurricane Kena in Puerto Vallarta in 2002. Vallarta Opina.

Among the recommendations for destinations, the design and implementation of a policy has been proposed, for the comprehensive management of water; the restoration of reefs, sea grasses, beaches and forests; and the creation of cooperative alliances between the public and private sectors to promote adaptation to climate change.

Additionally, the digital platform Economic Risk Information System (SIRE-ADAPTUR) was designed, which presents the results of the reports. The interactive tool to evaluate the cost of water production, and an extensive collection of geographic and climatic maps (location of properties, risk map, climate change scenarios, and distribution of natural assets –among others), aim at supporting decision-making for resilient tourism development.

The reports were published in October 2020 and were elaborated by the consulting companies E-blocks S.A. de C.V. and ERN Evaluación de Riesgos Naturales, in collaboration with 60 hotel companies, local environmental and tourism authorities, academic experts, civil society and members of the ADAPTUR project.

They are available for download at the following link: SIRE (eblocks.mx)

COVID-19 has affected Mexico since February 27 of this year and with it, the people’s mobility and interaction has been restricted. One of the most vulnerable sectors to these measures is the Tourism sector.

According to preliminary figures from the World Tourism Organization, a loss of approximately 45 billion dollars is estimated, and a decrease between 60 and 80% in the arrival of international tourists in 2020. To equate these figures, that means losing almost twice the amount of foreign exchange registered in 2019.

The situation is complex and challenging for everyone, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and the population that depends on them. José Benigno Torres, President of the San Miguel de Allende Business Coordinating Council, stated that, at least in this tourist destination:

“There is a risk of 60% of hotels closing permanently, and around 40% of restaurants… And those of us who are going to transcend this epidemic face particularly important challenges: we must reinvent the way in which we provide our services and learn from this huge health crisis.”

As a consequence, business dialogues have been taking place in several parts of the country, reflecting upon the way tourism developed before the crisis and if it is adequate for this new reality. Likewise, some reflections are being shared regarding the lessons that should permeate in future sector decisions. The Bahía de Banderas and Puerto Vallarta Business Association (AEBBA), through its president, Jorge Villanueva, stated:

“The great lesson that COVID leaves us is the folly of humanity by not protecting nature, in many areas. We cannot go back to doing things the same way. We have to be more socially and environmentally responsible.”

Without a doubt, the total impacts on tourism will be documented with more certainty in the months following the end of the pandemic and in accordance with the mobility regulations that each country establishes. Therefore, this moment is an opportunity to create creative strategies that permit the economic, social, and environmental recovery of the country.

For more information, we invite you to read a special newsletter on COVID 19 and Tourism (in Spanish).

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