An eco hotel in a nature reserve – sustainable or destructive?
View from the MAYAB Holistic Center and Educational Retreat
MAYAB Holistic Center and Educational Retreat, opening this month, educates its guests “about critical environmental issues facing the coastal ecosystems of the Sian Ka’an [Biosphere Reserve] and surrounding area.”
Eco education
This is crucial, and something I wish all eco hotels did. Think about it: what if someone wants to help the environment and so chooses to vacation at an eco hotel, but then wears regular sunscreen while checking out coral reefs? What if a couple celebrates their wedding on the coast of Quintana Roo, where so many severely endangered sea turtles go to nest? Or if people with good intentions visit bird sanctuaries and fail to keep their mouths shut? Noooooooo!
Disaster!
Violating the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
However, Mayab was built just north of Tulum in the Yucatán Peninsula within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a 1.3 million-acre nature reserve that also hosts Mayan ruins. I know what you’re thinking: this does not sound ecologically auspicious, sustainable and green as Mayab may tout itself to be. I absolutely agree.
Building a hotel – eco or otherwise – within a natural reserve is egregiously intrusive and atrocious.
(I’m not even going to go into the accommodations set up by the Sian Ka’an reserve itself!)
Photo by Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Sure, founder Delainia Haug means well, but placing her premises within a UNESCO World Heritage Site sounds like more of a marketing move than an environmentally magnanimous one.
As the eco hotel’s website says, “Approximately 36,000 tourists entered the reserve in the year 2000, and those numbers are expected to increase significantly each year.” And don’t forget “The increase in tourism and overdevelopment are threatening this fragile habitat.”
Oh, and “In the summer three species of endangered sea turtles come ashore to build their nests here.” I don’t think tourists should be trusted to respect nesting sites, no matter how ostensibly ecologically mindful they may be. Staying at a hotel placed right by these sites – not to mention being responsible for it – is decidedly irresponsible, to say the least.
How, then, could building a hotel within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere be ecologically responsible?
The good stuff
Apart from educating its guests, Mayab filters its grey and black water, turning the latter into organic matter. It is also developing a solar generated power system, composts, and recycles.
Also, retreats and programs are held to increase awareness about environmental issues.
What do you think?
Is its presence within a reserve ecologically laudable or destructive?
Leave a comment here and contact Delainia to voice your thoughts!
We have reserved a two night stay in May and are incredibly excited about it! We did this because we are environmentally conscious and are interested in the educational concept of the center. It seems to me that intentions are to help educate society and offer an alternative way to see the beauty of Mexico outside of over-rated resorts that cater to tourists. Hopefully the type of tourists that visits is interested and respectful of these types of surroundings. It is a privilege! Looking forward to seeing you Delainia!
Twitter: ecodestinations
says:
Hey Janie!
Well I’m sure it will be lots of fun. It’d be great to hear your thoughts when you get back.
Thank you,
SED
I have visited the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve myself many times, but it is the first time I hear about the Mayab Center. It does indeed sounds interesting, but I agree, after all IT IS a hotel and whatever construction within a natural protected area is after all a destruction on the environment. BUT I have one comment to make on your article! You are mistaken, if you think that CESIAK was build by the Sian Ka’an direction. It was build as a NGO by an American, but after all it more seems it is also a private based company, becuase of their activities. They work as a hotel and a tour operator and this has nothing to do with the RESERVE AUTHORITY . In this fact you are mistaken. Cesiak does not operate as they make out and as everybody thinks, because where is their involvement in environmentally friendly practise?? They claim to do lots for environmental education in the local community, but if we are honest, their actual involvement is very limited. We just need to have a look to their yearly revenue generated BY the “ecological friendly boat tours” leaving with 3 boats of 6 passenger twice a day-haha. Each passenger pays $75 for the tour. The cabañas they have build are everything else BUT ecological…they are placed right inside of the so much needed coastal dune!!! BUT Cesiak is already suffering from the last hurricans. Some of the cabañas they have build have suffered damage. This is not at all environmentally conscious!!!
Cesiak is NOT the RESERVE Authority, the Sian Ka’an direction (CONANP) has build a REAL Visitor Center at 9 km from the Mayan Arche.
Twitter: ecodestinations
says:
Wow, that’s some very significant information! Thank you, Monika – that’s a super important distinction you’ve made there. Maybe I’ll write about it in a future post, excellent :)
I am glad I could help to clarify this point a bit. There are many more things going on in Sian Ka’an which aren’t really sustainable. It would be nice if you could help to spread the word a bit with your blog!!! You are doing a great job with this blog. I recently came across and I find very valuable information on it. Regards!!!!
Twitter: ecodestinations
says:
Hey, if you have any further info on Sian Ka’an or any resources you could point me to, please do! Email me at ecodestination [at] gmail [dot] com. I would love to help spread the word – that’s how I roll!
Thanks so much, Monika!!