Governor Mara Lezama of Mexico's Quintana Roo state has announced the establishment of a Cruise Tourism Development Fund in collaboration with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). The fund, financed by a $5 fee levied on each cruise passenger visiting Cozumel and Mahahual, aims to bolster tourism infrastructure, enhance natural disaster prevention, and improve security at these key destinations.
Set to be implemented in the first half of 2025, the fund will be managed by a Technical Committee to ensure transparent and effective use of the resources. During the signing ceremony, Governor Lezama emphasized the significance of the partnership, highlighting Quintana Roo’s strategic alliance with the FCCA in promoting the growth of cruise tourism and benefiting local communities, especially those near Puerto Maya in Mahahual.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Governor Lezama, Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto, FCCA CEO Michele Paige, and FCCA President Adam Ceserano. Cozumel, which welcomed 4,089,054 cruise passengers in 2023, is expected to see an increase of 400,000 additional visitors this year, further solidifying its position as a leading global cruise destination.
In Quintana Roo are the Riviera Maya cruise ports Cancun, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Morelos and Playa del Carmen.