Effects Of Globalization And Tourism On Cancun

Effects of globalization and Tourism on Cancun

Introduction:

Globalization is the process by which the countries of the world are getting more connected trough the exchange of goods, services and culture.

Some factors of the globalization are:

• Multinational companies.

• More dependence on companies from the economy.

• Easier trade on goods, services and movement of capital.

• Companies opening branches on less economically developed countries.

In the last 50 years a massive rise has been seen on globalization but has been in action for over hundred´s of years.

Even though globalization is believed to have increased wealth in developing countries, it is hasn´t helped in balancing the economical difference between poor and rich countries. (BBC 2013)

Globalization and tourism:

A strong bond among countries, people and economies has been present since the globalization process started. This behavior has produce the start of a global market based on tourism, where destinations are expected to challenge each other on same terms without minding their geographical origin.

Tourism has become big business and believed to be a very good investment. In the year 202 715 million people traveled out side their countries, and it is expected to rise up to 1.6 billion by the year 2020. The profits out of the tourism are 3500 billion dollars, and 10% of the global trade accounts (ibid 53).

“The island and he master plan”, history of tourism in Cancun:

A deserted island:

Cancun was practically inhabited and unknown, four decades ago. Consisted on a number 7 shape, it was a forgotten region in the Caribbean conformed by sand dunes, flooded areas, mangroves, virgin beaches and unexplored jungle.

The master plan:

This project was started in 1970 when Infratur (a government agency existing before to the foundation of Fonatur which is the actual agency) technicians arrived the place, but it was approved one year before in 1969.

At the beginning of the project were these objectives to start, build a provisional airport, the construction of a road from Puerto Juarez to Cancun and design properly the “Master development plan”.

Basis of the master plan:

Construct a tourism corridor with all the services as marinas, golf courses, shopping centers and hotel installations without houses or residential areas in that specific zone or corridor.

Build at the northern part of the island the residential zone with hospitals, schools, roads, markets, public buildings and commercial areas, for permanent residents; and at the mainland south of the island build an international airport in one side of the Cancun-Tulum highway.

The hotel zone was divided into three zones, the first one from Isla Mujeres to Punta Cancun and the coast adjacent to Bojorquez lagoon, the second one was established from Bojorquez Lagoon to Punta Nizuc, and the third one ran from Punta Nizuc south to until the limits of the territorial reserve.

The hotel zone was built based on the super manzana concept, large avenues separating big city blocks.

At 1974 the firsts hotels, Bojorquez, Cancun Caribe and Blaya Blanca, opened their doors; with 2,600 meters of runway and capacity to operate wit wide-cabin planes, the international airport of Cancun was inaugurated.

In the same year the governmental organizations Foqatur and Infratur were blended to become only one organization Fonatur (National foundation for the promotion of tourism). (NICESTREAM MEXICO 2012)

How big is tourism in Cancun?

The advantages that the resort poses like the travel distances from the main markets (it is close to USA), natural riches as weather, nice beaches, and a very strong tourist infrastructure with more then 27,000 hotel rooms, shopping centers and a huge range of attractions.

Cancun is considered one of the main touristic attractions of Mexico by far, touristic activities are a work source for the 13.9% of the total of workers in Mexico and it also provides the 13% of the country’s GDP and 90% of Quintana Roo´s GDP, (World Travel and Tourism Council 2010).

As a reaction of all this development and success of the touristic resort project, Cancun´s population size has increase dramatically in the last years, now days is about 600,000 when in 1980 it was just 30,000 (Mexconnect, Richard Rhoda, Tony Burton 2010). The following graph explains the increase in Cancun’s population and how is divided between Mexicans and tourist/internationals:

(The growth of Cancun)

International effects on the local market:

Since the beginning of the development Cancun´s project, one of the main goals was to promote and generate international investment in order to provide international brands to their future costumers; making of the resort the perfect blend between familiar environment and exotic land escapes.

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