Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico (pictured) mega-resort project in Costa Maya has been rejected, one of the country’s top environmental leaders revealed overnight.
The decision from the Secretariat of Environment & Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) follows backlash from local residents and environmental groups over the US$600 million (A$836 million) development’s ecological impact.
SEMARNAT secretary Alicia Barcena said Perfect Day Mexico would not be approved, noting Royal Caribbean is taking steps to withdraw the development.
The project was slated to begin opening next year in the village of Mahahual, designed to mirror its successful Bahamian counterpart, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean told travelBulletin‘s sister publication Cruise Weekly it is disappointed by SEMARNAT’s decision, but respects the role of Mexico’s environmental authorities.
“We continue to believe in Mexico, and are optimistic in the potential to advance our investment responsibly.
“Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico,” the statement said.
Set to feature a water park, lazy river, beaches, pools, dining, and bars, Perfect Day Mexico had been called out by environmental campaigners Greenpeace, which also warned that the region was at a “crucial juncture”.
“We must not do anything that affects that area, which has a very important ecological balance, and is particularly important for the reefs,” president of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum said during a press briefing.
A Change.org petition with more than four million signatures was also demanding the project be halted, claiming Perfect Day Mexico threatened the “local way of life”, such as community access to beaches.
The cancellation does not impact the construction of the cruise line’s other Mexican Beach Club project in Cozumel.
