Cancun’s transformation from a sandbar into one of the top resort destinations in the world has been accompanied by increasing environmental concerns. Rapid hotel construction has changed the landscape of the coast since the 1970s. This has put strain on ecosystems and infrastructure.
NASA’s Earth Observatory and other studies have highlighted the negative impact of unchecked development, from polluted water runoff to eroding beachfronts, as well as waste volumes that exceed what local treatment facilities can handle.
Tulum, a small town on the coast, has gained in popularity as an alternative to other resorts. The 715-room Hilton Cancun provides a good look at the sustainability issue.
In one way, the hotel contributes to the restoration of the mangrove forest surrounding it by reusing wastewater. On the other hand, it is struggling to move away from fossils fuels. This is a challenge that many Mexican hotels face, operating in a country where energy systems are still dominated largely by coal, oil and gas.
The resort is scheduled to open in 2021
