Destination Maya Ka'an initiative

The Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, is one of the most biodiverse sites in the world that showcases Mayan culture, history and communities. Back in the early 1990s, Amigos de Sian Ka’an - one of the leading NGOs in Mexico dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable development - started a boat tour in the Sian Ka’an wetlands to obtain funding for its conservation. This activity eventually inspired the creation of an entire ecotourism destination within Sian Ka’an that led to the Destination Maya Ka’an initiative, which aims to minimize tourism’s impact on environmental resources and diversify tourism in Quintana Roo with ecotourism, rural tourism and adventure tourism activities. Destination Maya Ka’an is rooted in the sustainable use of the attractions within the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. It links the Mayan indigenous communities to the tourism value chain in Quintana Roo to provide them with earning opportunities while simultaneously boosting the competitiveness of the tourism offer of the Mexican Caribbean. Destination Maya Ka’an has already generated a Return on Investment of approximately USD500,000 and is anticipated to increase even further, promising long-term social and economic benefits for the communities of Maya Ka’an. The success of the project has been realized through the collective vision of multiple stakeholders supporting conservation and sustainable development of the area.