{"id":5552,"date":"2022-03-11T08:20:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T16:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coral.org\/?p=5552"},"modified":"2022-10-20T13:38:05","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T20:38:05","slug":"what-is-a-destination-management-organization-and-how-can-a-dmo-protect-coral-reefs-in-cozumel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coral.org\/en\/blog\/what-is-a-destination-management-organization-and-how-can-a-dmo-protect-coral-reefs-in-cozumel\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Destination Management Organization? And How Can a DMO Protect Coral Reefs in Cozumel?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs\u2014it\u2019s the type of travel destination that many of us dream of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vacation season is quickly approaching and soon, millions of eager tourists will pack their bags and flock to some of the world\u2019s most beautiful, sought-after destinations. But increased popularity means many of the natural resources in these locations are in need of protection. That\u2019s where a Destination Management Organization (DMO) comes into play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo Credit: Fernando Jorge \/ Upsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is a Destination Management Organization?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A DMO is a body that manages all aspects of a tourism destination. It protects nature and the area\u2019s cultural heritage, while also maintaining its appeal to travelers. The organization brings together government, civil society, and industry stakeholders to secure funding, protect the area\u2019s natural environments, and simultaneously boost its economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at CORAL, we are actively involved in the development and maintenance of a DMO in Cozumel, which is only the second DMO created in Mexico. Due to the area\u2019s lively coral reefs and a local economy reliant on them, Cozumel is an important destination to protect and a DMO will help us in that process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthening Cozumel\u2019s Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cozumel\u2019s coral reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second largest barrier reef on the planet. But in the last two years, environmental factors impacting coral reefs, like Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease<\/a> and sargassum blooms<\/a>, along with the devastating effects of the pandemic, have led to a significant decline in Cozumel\u2019s tourism, an industry that accounts for 85 percent of jobs on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCozumel will only stay a viable destination if we keep its natural environment healthy,\u201d says Javier Piza\u00f1a-Alonso, CORAL\u2019s Program Manager in Mexico and the local DMO\u2019s president. \u201cThat\u2019s why it is so important that we focus our efforts on protection\u2014especially the protection of coral reefs.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo Credit: Jett Britnell \/ Ocean Image Bank<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why is Cozumel\u2019s DMO Important?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cozumel\u2019s DMO is part of a bigger initiative led by our partner, The Mesoamerican Cruise Destination Network (MAR Network)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, we are uniting the Caribbean\u2019s three major cruise destinations: Cozumel, Roatan, and Belize, in order to preserve Mesoamerica\u2019s natural and cultural heritage. Each destination is developing their own DMO and is working with different sectors to meet sustainability goals and initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA priority of these DMOs is to protect all natural environments, including the Mesoamerican Reef\u201d says Piza\u00f1a-Alonso. \u201cIn Cozumel, the DMO will keep its corals healthy by implementing initiatives focused on waste management, water and sanitation, and climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing Together Different Sectors <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to fulfill long-term conservation initiatives, Piza\u00f1a-Alonso is building an ongoing relationship with the local government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Piza\u00f1a-Alonso, it is important that members of the local government want to be involved in the DMO, as it makes it much easier to secure the funds needed to support coral reef conservation. \u201cAround the world, successful DMOs that improved the sustainable tourism dynamic were all supported by the local government and private sector,\u201d says Piza\u00f1a-Alonso. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be challenging when newly elected officials come into power; however, Piza\u00f1a-Alonso is thrilled to announce that Cozumel\u2019s DMO is one of few local projects that has succeeded across multiple administrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through a coordinated approach to sustainable tourism, we are optimistic that we can keep Cozumel\u2019s coral reefs healthy and thriving, which in turn supports the many marine animals and people that are dependent on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about Cozumel\u2019s coral reefs and our efforts to protect them, visit our programs page <\/em>here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs\u2014it\u2019s the type of travel destination that many of us dream of.  Vacation season is quickly approaching and soon, millions of eager tourists will pack their bags and flock to some of the world\u2019s most beautiful, sought-after destinations. But increased popularity means many of the natural resources… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":true,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_genesis_transparent_header":false,"_genesis_hide_siblings_nav":false,"_genesis_hide_flyout":false,"_genesis_subtitle":"","_genesis_subheading":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[311],"tags":[297,375,298,256,296],"class_list":{"0":"post-5552","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-local-news","8":"tag-cozumel","9":"tag-eoy22","10":"tag-local","11":"tag-mesoamerican","12":"tag-mexico","13":"entry"},"acf":[],"template_part":"\n

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