Tourism Displaces Locals

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-11-2007

No, that's no surprise, but I found THIS ARTICLE interesting. When you're soaking up the sun and having margaritas placed in your hand on demand, it's hard to think about who might have been removed so you could enjoy those things. But I suppose all "progress" does the same thing. Good thing? Bad thing? Hard to say, I think.

This fella's still trying to hold on:

Quote:

Developers come to Mezo's 700-by-100-meter slice of land every few months, he says. "They always say, 'It will be so much money, you will be able to take your family and live abroad, or wherever you want,'" he says, driving his blue motorboat to pick up his 6-year-old granddaughter from school on a recent day. "I don't want to live anywhere else. This is where I want to live."

**Heather** · 10-11-2007

Good article, thanks for the link! I'm praying for Mezo.

Bevoz · 10-11-2007

This is sad as much as I love the Mayan Rivera I feel that the Mexicans should be first priority when it comes to where they live and what they do for a living. How does one stop the progress or at least slow it down and have more consideration for the people who call this place their home

Daddy B · 10-11-2007

I just don't buy it: locals displace locals, more like it, since building has to meet with local authority approval first.

Bluespicker · 10-11-2007

Tourism can be a double edged sword.

Kevin y Pam · 10-11-2007

Interesting. Thanks.

NiceTom · 10-11-2007

While I can sympathize-does he have 700 meters of beachfront, or only 100 meters in Xpu Ha.
You'll never be able to say poor Mezo. I mean, yes maybe his dream is going, but there have got to worse things to happen to you than having to sell your land for a million dollars.

From the article-can that be correct-30,700+ hotels in the region?

laurab · 10-11-2007

Exactly. It's not the investors, local or foreign, that make the rules. It's all just politics. Sadly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy B

I just don't buy it: locals displace locals, more like it, since building has to meet with local authority approval first.

duffey · 10-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceTom

While I can sympathize-does he have 700 meters of beachfront, or only 100 meters in Xpu Ha.
You'll never be able to say poor Mezo. I mean, yes maybe his dream is going, but there have got to worse things to happen to you than having to sell your land for a million dollars.

From the article-can that be correct-30,700+ hotels in the region?

I believe they mean rooms.

TAPPY · 10-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceTom

While I can sympathize-does he have 700 meters of beachfront, or only 100 meters in Xpu Ha.
You'll never be able to say poor Mezo. I mean, yes maybe his dream is going, but there have got to worse things to happen to you than having to sell your land for a million dollars.
From the article-can that be correct-30,700+ hotels in the region?

At least they are paying him well for it and not cheating him or just taking it.
(this happened to my friend from Cuba who never got a dime for her property)

But it still is very sad because he does not want to move.

jlsl · 10-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Good article, thanks for the link! I'm praying for Mezo.

And I'm praying for Quintana Roo.

JoBeach · 10-11-2007

That displacement happens anywhere there is tourism. I live in Colorado and the employees at ski resorts can not even afford to live near their work because of cost. It is a sad, but true reality. I am in Playa in 3 weeks from today. Can not wait!!

mer · 10-11-2007

excellent article! I too am praying for Mexico

Rissask · 10-11-2007

Not at all unique situation, unfortunately.

And this guy has it good compared to some stories I have heard of in Mexico.

For example, when they made the Huatulco area, they displaced an entire town full of people (town's name is Santa Maria Huatulco) away from the prime beachfront area, further inland. I don't know if they were given money or not.

But a tour guide did say, when he told us this story, and people looked horrified, that it was a good thing for the people, because now many work in the restuarants and hotels and their standard of living has improved a lot.

So I don't know, it's good and bad I guess. As long as they are paid fairly and not forced or bullied, it's maybe okay.

I think what is worse than stories like this, is the fact that property prices have risen so much in areas like the Mayan Riviera and around any other resort area, because of foreign buyers, that the locals cannot afford housing anymore and have to live with their parents longer, or more people to a house, or even move away entirely to somewhere cheaper.

But that is also not unique to Mexico...just ask my 28 year old co-worker who still lives at home because he can't afford a mortgage yet because house prices here have skyrocketed lately!

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-11-2007

This whole story reminds me of this little fable... sometimes it doesn't take money. Kinda like Dorothy and Oz, too.

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

“And after that?" asked the Mexican.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

10-11-2007	#7 (permalink)
NiceTom life=playa Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 547	While I can sympathize-does he have 700 meters of beachfront, or only 100 meters in Xpu Ha. You'll never be able to say poor Mezo. I mean, yes maybe his dream is going, but there have got to worse things to happen to you than having to sell your land for a million dollars. From the article-can that be correct-30,700+ hotels in the region? Last edited by NiceTom; 10-11-2007 at 12:31 PM.

10-11-2007	#2 (permalink)
Heather Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 9,401	Good article, thanks for the link! I'm praying for Mezo.

10-11-2007	#3 (permalink)
Bevoz beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 337	This is sad as much as I love the Mayan Rivera I feel that the Mexicans should be first priority when it comes to where they live and what they do for a living. How does one stop the progress or at least slow it down and have more consideration for the people who call this place their home

10-11-2007	#4 (permalink)
Daddy B añejo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you Posts: 9,295	I just don't buy it: locals displace locals, more like it, since building has to meet with local authority approval first.

10-11-2007	#5 (permalink)
Bluespicker añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rural Mankato,Minnesota Posts: 2,606	Tourism can be a double edged sword.

10-11-2007	#6 (permalink)
Kevin y Pam beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cumming, Georgia Posts: 320	Interesting. Thanks.

10-11-2007	#12 (permalink)
JoBeach lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22	That displacement happens anywhere there is tourism. I live in Colorado and the employees at ski resorts can not even afford to live near their work because of cost. It is a sad, but true reality. I am in Playa in 3 weeks from today. Can not wait!!

10-11-2007	#13 (permalink)
mer way into it Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Playa/LA Posts: 173	excellent article! I too am praying for Mexico

10-11-2007	#14 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 19,646	Not at all unique situation, unfortunately. And this guy has it good compared to some stories I have heard of in Mexico. For example, when they made the Huatulco area, they displaced an entire town full of people (town's name is Santa Maria Huatulco) away from the prime beachfront area, further inland. I don't know if they were given money or not. But a tour guide did say, when he told us this story, and people looked horrified, that it was a good thing for the people, because now many work in the restuarants and hotels and their standard of living has improved a lot. So I don't know, it's good and bad I guess. As long as they are paid fairly and not forced or bullied, it's maybe okay. I think what is worse than stories like this, is the fact that property prices have risen so much in areas like the Mayan Riviera and around any other resort area, because of foreign buyers, that the locals cannot afford housing anymore and have to live with their parents longer, or more people to a house, or even move away entirely to somewhere cheaper. But that is also not unique to Mexico...just ask my 28 year old co-worker who still lives at home because he can't afford a mortgage yet because house prices here have skyrocketed lately!

10-11-2007	#15 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 10,929	This whole story reminds me of this little fable... sometimes it doesn't take money. Kinda like Dorothy and Oz, too. A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long," answered the Mexican. "But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . I have a full life." The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat." “And after that?" asked the Mexican. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise." "How long would that take?" asked the Mexican. "Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American. "And after that?" "Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican. "After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

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