Category 5 Hurricane Milton left a trail of destruction as it swept through Quinta Roo, including the island of Cozumel. Torrential rains, powerful winds reaching up to 196 mph, and high waves caused beach erosion and damaged infrastructure along the coastline. In response, a robust government-led cleanup campaign quickly tacked the removal of sargassum, debris …
As sargassum seaweed becomes a bigger issue around the globe due to the warming seas and more active ocean currents, tourist destinations around the world are facing the challenges of what to do with all of it that washes up on local beaches. Muluk Spa at Hotel Xcaret Arte in Cancún is one of tourism …
In small quantities or open waters, sargassum does not pose a significant risk to human health or marine ecosystems. However, that’s no longer the case with massive volumes of seaweed washing ashore, poisoning shallow waters and killing marine life. Although sargassum season in Mexico is essentially over, authorities reported this week the detection of high …
One of the collateral effects of the massive sargassum arrival in the Caribbean is beach erosion, caused by the necessary removal of algae using heavy machinery. In places like Quintana Roo, where authorities and the private sector invest heavily on seaweed treatment, the sargassum removed from beaches and the ocean isn’t simply dumped in a …
Understanding the ongoing environmental and economic catastrophe generated by the proliferation of sargassum, the Dominican Republic has taken decisive action to turn this crisis into an opportunity for sustainable development. According to the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), each property is being forced to spend up to $70,000 annually on …
Barbados is a small Caribbean island with a population of about 300,000. However, it’s been tasked with a monumental problem to try to tackle. With tourism a main driver of the nation’s economy, the island nation has struggled with an influx of Sargassum, a brown macroalgae, which washes up on the Barbados coastline. Within days …
Most of us schedule our vacations around good weather. But while sun is practically guaranteed all year round in the Caribbean, there is one thing you should watch out for. Yes, we’re talking about the infamous seaweed, which has ruined the beach experiences of thousands of travelers and is likely to affect many more. If …
The breathtaking beaches of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, have been awarded the esteemed Blue Flag certification for the third year in a row. This is more than a random award—it is an international recognition granted to beaches, marinas and a series of tourism operators that achieve high environmental, safety and quality standards, including exceptional water quality. …
Mexican private and public sectors have announced a groundbreaking partnership to fight sargassum and boost business opportunities in the Caribbean region. According to Toni Chaves, hotel leader in Quintana Roo, the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS), the Association of Hotels of Riviera Maya (AHRM) and the Seas We Love (TSWL) …
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, a division of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), recently announced the results of a new survey of the impacts of sargassum on tourism and the tourist experience. According to information released about the report, the center decided to conduct the survey in direct response …