Regional Tourist Development Program: Mayan Rivers in Mexico

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Amount Raised

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Total Investors
Project Overview Objectives Progress Tracker ESG Impact Beneficiaries SDG Goals Risks and Limitations Financing Support Stakeholders Licenses and Permits Updates Supporting Documents

Project Overview

According to the Regional Program for Tourism Development, Ríos Mayas Route is a tourism development project with an inclusive, sustainable and territorial planning orientation that integrates 6 municipalities in the state of Tabasco, Mexico.
It is a model of economic, social and environmental innovation that promotes governance schemes to create alliances for the sustainable management of the Mayan Rivers and its surroundings to strengthen urban-rural links and productive chains. This model would attract investment, promote decent work and socio-economic growth and diversification, motivate tourism and its better distribution, and encourage responsible production and consumption, seeking a positive impact on the fulfillment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

This initiative is considering a portfolio of strategic projects that has seed capital from the government and looking for potential private investors. Between the trigger sub-projects identified there are:
1. Usumacinta eco-cruise in the Gulf of Mexico
2. “Boca del Cerro” River Terminal
3. Terminal Ribereña, Recreational and Business Complex
4. Ecotourism Center and River Recreation with Accommodation “Río San Pedro”
5. Nautical Tourist Services and 6 docks
6. Manatí Interpretation Center

Sectors

  • Transport & Mobility
  • Urban Infill & Public Space
  • Water & Sanitation
US$80,278,000
Funding Goal
Mexico
Country
Latin America and the Caribbean
Region

Objectives

The Rios Mayas project will order public and private investments under a comprehensive model of governance and smart territorial development, aimed at promoting ecological sustainability and shared prosperity, for the benefit of the entire population of the state of Tabasco.

Progress Tracker

Phases

  • Phase 1 (Completed)

    Concept Stage

    In the year 2020, the conceptualization stage was completed with the preparation of preliminary studies: diagnosis, strategy, project files, investment program and sources of financing. The publication of the Regional Tourism Development Program of the Mayan Rivers Route was also achieved. The process was in charge of the Tourism Ministry, Government of the State of Tabasco and the National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism of the Government of Mexico.

    Below is a list of the portfolio of strategic investment projects:

    1. Public Beach Park,
    2. Riverside Tourist Boardwalk,
    3. Tourist Information Centers,
    4. Traditional Accommodation Tourist Unit,
    5. Nautical Scale,
    6. River Terminal “Boca del Cerro”,
    7. Adventure Natural Park,
    8. Rehabilitation Project of the Historic Center of Frontera,
    9. Usumacinta Eco-Cruise,
    10. Ecotourism Centers near Lagunas and / or Rivers, Park , and in Santo Tomás,
    11. Tourist Unit for Environmental Management “Three Arms”,
    12. Tres Brazos Recreational Nautical Center,
    13. Cultural Tourist Unit (Artistic neighborhood),
    14. Tourist Unit of Handicrafts,
    15. Riparian Accommodation Tourist Unit,
    16. Manatee Interpretation Center,
    17. Tourist Paradores and El Ceibo,
    18. River Recreational Ecotourism Center with Accommodation “Río San Pedro”; Eco-Hotel Niños Héroes,
    19. Interpretation Center of the Archaeological Zone “El Tiradero”,
    20. Tourist Accommodation Unit in Palafito,
    21. Living Museum of Moral-Reforma Mayan Culture,
    22. Agrotourism Unit,
    23. Tourist Unit of Primates: Sanctuary of the Saraguatos and Primatológica,
    24. Terminal Ribereña, Recreational and Business Complex “Emiliano Zapata”,
    25. Tourist Unit of Experiences in Indigenous Peoples and Canitzán,
    26. Mayan and Pomona Eco Archaeological Center,
    27. Santa Margarita and San Román Water Park,
    28. “Cobá” Residential Tourist Unit,
    29. Boca del Cerro Tourist Unit,
    30. River Tourist Services Unit and Boca del Cerro Cable Car,
    31. Interpretation Center of Flora and Fauna “Cañón del Usumacinta”,
    32. Gastronomic Tourist Unit Ribereña and La Palma,
    33. Social Tourism Unit Natural Spa and Rancho Grande,
    34. Ecological Reserve “Last Fight”,
    35. Nautical Tourist Services Unit “Muelle Tipo”,
    36. Cycle Tourism Unit

  • Phase 2

    Feasibility Assessment

  • Phase 3

    Advance Design

  • Phase 4

    Implementation

    During the implementation stage the following trigger projects will be constructed:

    1. Usumacinta eco- cruise in the Gulf of Mexico
    2. “Boca del Cerro” River Terminal
    3. Ribereña Terminal: Recreational and Business Complex
    4. Ecotourism Center and River Recreation with Accommodation “Río San Pedro”
    5. Nautical Tourist Services and 6 docks
    6. Manatí Interpretation Center.

  • Phase 5

    Evaluation

Current Stage

Feasibility Assessment Stage

Timeline

Timeframe: 2021-2024

Project Milestones

In the year 2020, the conceptualization stage was completed with the preparation of preliminary studies: diagnosis, strategy, project files, investment program and sources of financing. The publication of the Regional Tourism Development Program of the Mayan Rivers Route was also achieved. The process was in charge of the Tourism Ministry, Government of the State of Tabasco and the National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism of the Government of Mexico.

Below is a list of the portfolio of strategic investment projects:
1. Public Beach Park
2. Riverside Tourist Boardwalk
3. Tourist Information Centers
4. Traditional Accommodation Tourist Unit 5. Nautical Scale
6. River Terminal “Boca del Cerro”
7. Adventure Natural Park
8. Rehabilitation Project of the Historic Center of Frontera
9. Usumacinta Eco-Cruise
10. Ecotourism Centers near Lagunas and / or Rivers, Park , and in Santo Tomás
11. Tourist Unit for Environmental Management “Three Arms”
12. Tres Brazos Recreational Nautical Center
13. Cultural Tourist Unit (Artistic neighborhood)
14. Tourist Unit of Handicrafts
15. Riparian Accommodation Tourist Unit
16. Manatee Interpretation Center
17. Tourist Paradores and El Ceibo
18. River Recreational Ecotourism Center with Accommodation “Río San Pedro”; Eco-Hotel Niños Héroes
19. Interpretation Center of the Archaeological Zone “El Tiradero”
20. Tourist Accommodation Unit in Palafito
21. Living Museum of Moral-Reforma Mayan Culture
22. Agrotourism Unit
23. Tourist Unit of Primates: Sanctuary of the Saraguatos and Primatológica
24. Terminal Ribereña, Recreational and Business Complex “Emiliano Zapata”
25. Tourist Unit of Experiences in Indigenous Peoples and Canitzán
26. Mayan and Pomona Eco Archaeological Center
27. Santa Margarita and San Román Water Park
28. “Cobá” Residential Tourist Unit
29. Boca del Cerro Tourist Unit
30. River Tourist Services Unit and Boca del Cerro Cable Car
31. Interpretation Center of Flora and Fauna “Cañón del Usumacinta”
32. Gastronomic Tourist Unit Ribereña and La Palma
33. Social Tourism Unit Natural Spa and Rancho Grande
34. Ecological Reserve “Last Fight”
35. Nautical Tourist Services Unit “Muelle Tipo”
36. Cycle Tourism Unit

During the implementation stage the following trigger projects will be constructed:
1. Usumacinta eco-cruise in the Gulf of Mexico
2. “Boca del Cerro” River Terminal
3. Ribereña Terminal: Recreational and Business Complex
4. Ecotourism Center and River Recreation with Accommodation “Río San Pedro”
5. Nautical Tourist Services and 6 docks
6. Manatí Interpretation Center

ESG Impact

Economic development: the investment in tourism infrastructure would contribute to the process of socioeconomical recovery post Covid-19; to the economic diversification, local economic development, and job creation.

Social impact: the project will include local and indigenous communities in the planification and implementation process of the sustainable ecotourism strategy.

Governance: the project will contribute to the generation of positive synergies between other strategic projects that are in execution in the region, in particular Maya Train and interoceanic corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. At the same time, it will strength the institutional linkage between the national, state and municipal levels to optimize results and use of financial resources.

Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiary are the six municipalities (Macuspana, Centla, Balancán, Tenosique, Emiliano Zapata and Jonuta) located in the study area. Furthermore, their 480,771 inhabitants (2019) of which 48.9% are men and 51.1% are women.

SDG Goals

SDG 1: No PovertySDG 2: Zero HungerSDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 4: Quality EducationSDG 5: Gender EqualitySDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationSDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 10: Reduced InequalitySDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate ActionSDG 14: Life Below WaterSDG 15: Life on LandSDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong InstitutionsSDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goals

Rationale

SDG 5 Strengthen the gender perspective as a cross-cutting element of the project.
SDGs 9 and 10 Establish alliances to attract investment under innovative schemes that maximize benefits for the most vulnerable populations.
SDGs 12, 13 and 15 Sustainable managment of ecosystem resources and services with inter-generational responsibility.
SDGs 11 and 15 Promote land use planning for ecological balance and construction of sustainable communities
SDGs 16 and 17 Generate mechanisms for dialogue and alliances with social and private actors
SDG s 17 and 9 Innovate in the tourism industry, with actions that strengthen productive chains.

Tracks

Track 2

Risks and Limitations

What are the key risks, constraints and dependencies related to the project?

The key risks detected are:
• Continuous growth of mass tourism.
• Deterioration of natural and cultural resources.
• No proper management of the waste (solid, liquid and gaseous) that the oil industry produces.
• Transculturation of the local population.

There are not strategies yet to address these issues, but it is considered as part of a proposal of technical assistance that UN-Habitat would provide to the State of Tabasco.

Risk mitigation and continuity

The first mechanism is that the Project has a normative character within the state legislation, making it binding in the planning processes and programs for all the next administrations. Second, the participation of external organizations that can facilitate the transition and observing its fulfillment in the medium and long term is contemplated. Third, citizen governance mechanisms are considered to empower the citizens and local communities to ensure the fulfillment of the project in the long term.

Financing

Funding Goal

US$80,278,000

A total investment of US$80,278,000 is estimated for the project. US$9,260,000 is considered for the detonator projects, distributed in three phases (2019-2021, 2022-2024 and 2025-2035).

Type of Investment

Grant

Financing Structure

Public Private Partnership

Secured Investment

US$1,800,000 by the federal and state governments.

Committed Government Funding

To date, there has been US$1,800,000 invested by the federal and state governments. The commitment by these two spheres of government is US$15,400,000.

Committed Private Funding

There is intention of participation and investment from the private sector but there is not yet a committed funding.

Support

Technical Support Required

  • Elaboration of an integrated territorial model based on the vision agreed with the local communities and indigenous populations; definition of the strategic priorities proposed by local actors and the eco-development proposals for the Mayan Rivers. This Model will be composed of guidelines that will guide the intelligent intervention of the proposed areas of action, always favoring the harmonization of productive activities with natural capital.
  • Conceptual design of strategic projects, their technical feasibility study, risks analysis and mitigation measures. For each project, the preparation of visual materials and business cases.
  • Analysis for funds and investments to identify available resources to mobilize to finance the prioritized interventions. Generate outreach with potential partners and prepare applications to access to international funds from global green financing mechanisms and sustainable development.
  • Initiate activities for the execution of strategic projects and the establishment of a baseline in the territory.

Stakeholders

Governmental Buy-in

At national level, FONATUR.
Minister of Tourism, Government of the Tabasco.

Other Forms of Governmental Support

The local government is committed to facilitating the necessary human resources to carry out the project. A team made of multidisciplinary specialists currently working in the public administration. As well as facilitating the operational resources available to the secretariats, such as offices, work teams, vehicles, among others. In addition to carrying out the necessary steps to obtain the permits required to start the activities.

National Ministries Involved

Director of the National Fund of Promotion of Tourism in Mexico
Minister of Tourism of México

SubNational Ministries Involved

Governor of Tabasco
Minister of Well-being, Sustainability and Climate Change of Tabasco
Minister of Culture of Tabasco
Minister of Economic Development of Tabasco

Other Entities Involved

N/A

Licenses and Permits


The required permits will be requested according to the different phases of the project.

Updates

Supporting Documents

No supporting documents included.