Cruise industry leaders have joined with Mexican tourism officials and an environmental group on an initiative to preserve biodiversity in Cozumel, one of the world's busiest cruise ports. "Cozumel takes seriously the challenge of balancing continued growth of cruise tourism with protection of our island's natural heritage," said Cozumel's mayor, Gustavo Ortega Joaquin, about the agreement, which was facilitated by Conservation International, Cozumel's Department of Tourism and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
The agreement provides a framework for enhanced environmental awareness and education of cruise ship passengers and tour operators, improved tourism infrastructure, increased protection of Cozumel's reef system and consistent application of environmental laws and regulations. It is estimated that Cozumel's Cruise Passenger Education Campaign will reach 500,000 visitors over the next six months. (DE)