Background on Maya Ka’an
Maya Ka’an is a network of ecotourism cooperatives located in central Quintana Roo, encompassing the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos, with some areas within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Following the creation of the brand, these communities underwent a training process that included brand management, tour guide certification, and the adoption of business quality standards tailored to ejido cooperatives.
In 2014, driven by the efforts of the ejido cooperatives in Quintana Roo’s Maya region, they successfully established the Maya Ka’an brand, positioning it as the 12th destination in Mexico’s Caribbean. Since then, Maya Ka’an has been promoted by Quintana Roo’s state governments as a symbol of low-impact, rural tourism with a strong Maya identity, earning it a place in the PNUD’s Kuxatur financing plan alongside Sierra la Laguna in Baja California Sur and Huatulco, Oaxaca.
In 2023, the community-based tourism model developed in Maya Ka’an was announced to be replicated across other Maya regions worldwide, with a $30 million investment from the U.S. government.
Accusations Against Maya Ka’an Tourism Model
Representatives from Maya communities in José María Morelos delivered a denunciation document to the National Institute of Intellectual Property Rights (Indautor) regarding the misappropriation and improper use of their Maya biocultural heritage.
They claim that the promotion and commercialization of the Maya Ka’an tourist destination mercantilize indigenous culture and territories. Since 2010, they argue that the “experiential” tourism model being pushed has disadvantaged them.
- The state-level rural community area declaration with tourism potential, “Maya Ka’an,” does not include mechanisms for consent, participation, or fair distribution of benefits for Maya communities.
- There is alleged exclusion of towns and communities, along with the imposition of discriminatory requirements that restrict their involvement in decision-making and project management bodies.
- The registration of the Maya Ka’an brand with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has also been criticized for disregarding the human rights of involved communities.
The communities demand that Indautor investigate the mentioned infringements and issue measures to protect Maya biocultural heritage, ensuring any use or exploitation of it is authorized, participatory, and equitable, exercising their free determination.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Maya Ka’an? Maya Ka’an is a network of ecotourism cooperatives in central Quintana Roo, encompassing the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos, with parts within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
- When was Maya Ka’an established as a brand? The Maya Ka’an brand was established in 2014, following the efforts of ejido cooperatives in Quintana Roo’s Maya region.
- What type of tourism does Maya Ka’an promote? Maya Ka’an promotes low-impact, rural tourism with a strong Maya identity.
- What are the accusations against Maya Ka’an? The accusations include mercantilization of indigenous culture and territories, lack of consent mechanisms, unfair benefit distribution, exclusion of communities, discriminatory requirements, and disregard for human rights in brand registration.
