Diverse Opinions on Proposed Beach Access Legislation
The hotel industry in Quintana Roo holds mixed views regarding the proposed legislative reform aiming to ensure free access to beaches. Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the Cancun hotel association, finds it “complicated” to mandate beach access in all hotels without fully understanding the proposed details.
Rodrigo de la Peña’s Perspective
De la Peña acknowledges the challenge of providing direct beach access for several hotels, stating that while beaches are federal zones open to everyone, implementing mandatory access points in every hotel seems difficult. He suggests that multiple access points would be more appropriate.
David Ortiz Mena’s Perspective
David Ortiz Mena, president of the Caribe Hotel Council, views the proposed law positively. He believes it will help address the longstanding social demand for better public beach access, particularly in destinations like Tulum that lack planned public access.
Ortiz Mena emphasizes that the responsibility for ensuring free beach access lies with municipalities, and the reform will assist in improving beach access without solely burdening the private sector.
Legislative Progress
On September 1, with support from all parties, the Chamber of Deputies approved amendments to the law guaranteeing free access to beaches and protected natural areas across Mexico. The reforms target prohibiting charges, quotas, or restrictive conditions for beach entry.
- The reforms were approved with 470 votes in the Chamber of Deputies, modifying various provisions of the Bienes Nacionales and Equilibrio Ecológico y Protección al Ambiente general laws.
- The amended legislation, originating from an initiative by Ricardo Monreal of Morena, ensures free, permanent, and unrestricted access to maritime beaches and adjacent federal maritime-terrestrial zones for all individuals, regardless of origin, nationality, or social condition.
- The law mandates federal, state, and municipal authorities to guarantee secure and signposted access from public roads to maritime beaches and adjacent federal maritime-terrestrial zones.
- The legislation also prohibits the imposition of charges, quotas, or restrictive conditions for entering maritime beaches and adjacent federal maritime-terrestrial zones, except in cases specified for environmental prevention and protection, public safety, or national interest.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the proposed legislation about? The reform aims to guarantee free access to beaches and protected natural areas across Mexico, prohibiting charges, quotas, or restrictive conditions for beach entry.
- Who supports the proposed changes? The amendments were approved by the Chamber of Deputies with support from all political parties.
- What are the responsibilities of authorities under this reform? Federal, state, and municipal authorities are required to ensure secure and signposted access from public roads to maritime beaches and adjacent federal maritime-terrestrial zones.
- Who is responsible for ensuring beach access? While municipalities bear the primary responsibility, this reform aims to assist in improving beach access without solely burdening the private sector.
