Conflict in Chichen-Itza: Handicraft vendors and local authorities square off

The Yucatan Times reported this week on simmering conflict at the pre-hispanic City of Chichen-Itza, a world heritage site on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The problem is a familiar one. While visitor numbers have surged since the site's designation in 2011, local communities claim that have not benefited from the boost to the region's economy, given that tourists for the most part visit Chichen-Itza on day tours from Merida or Cancun, returning to their luxury hotels on the coast immediately following their visit.

Not surprisingly, local people have sought to derive economic advantage from the tourist influx, with vendors thronging the site to sell souvenirs and handicrafts. However, unfortunately the lack of controls has left many tourists feeling harassed by hard-selling vendors, which in turn has led to what some claim is a ham-fisted reaction by authorities.

While there are indications that Yucatan State Governor Rolando Zapata Bello is working with the National Institute of Anthropology and History to develop an action plan to address the problems at Chichen-Itza, the challenge, as seen at other world heritage sites where local communities have been marginalized (e.g. Petra in Jordan), is to follow through and implement concrete measures that balance the interests of all concerned: government authorities, the tourism sector, local communities as well visitors.

Let's hope Governor Zapata is successful in his efforts to achieve this balance in Chichen-Itza.