As hotel owners and operators for over 25 years, we are struggling with all the changes and development going on around us. Needless to say, we are also concerned for the future of Akumal and its surroundings.

As President of the Akumal Ecological Center, and past President and present board member of the Akumal Development Council, I am actively involved in several projects that will help to preserve Akumal and minimize the impact of the development around us. ( see www.ceakumal.org and www.akumalcouncil.com )

There are two main projects for 2007 and beyond. The first one is the Akumal Bay Management Program. Once it is approved we will be able to limit the number of boats in the bay, regulate their activity, establish navigation channels for the boats, and specify designated mooring locations. We will also be able to limit the number of users so that the guests of Akumal can enjoy the bay without masses of tours from other locations descending on us. We want all our guests to enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of the main bay of Akumal.

All beaches are designated Federal Zones in Mexico. 20 meters from low tide are open to anyone wanting to enjoy the beach. We have the Concession to the Federal Zone for all our property and it does not allow for any commercial activity. Therefore we ask your support if approached by any fishermen. Please do not use their services. The only legal services are out of the dive shops. The Akumal Dive Center on our property offers fishing, diving and boat excursions.

You can also help us by writing to me if you feel this issue is important. Please tell us why the increased number of boats is affecting your stay, and any other helpful observations. We will translate each letter to Spanish and add them to our document. When presented to the authorities, they will see that many of our guests are affected by the growth, and are concerned for the health of the bay.

The second project involves the ongoing vigilance of the Urban Development Plan for Akumal Pueblo. Both the Ecological Center and the Akumal Development Council have seats in the Vigilance Committee and we have formally asked for a buffer zone between the Beach properties and the Town development to be designated as a Conservation Area.

If you are interested in supporting any of these causes, please visit the web sites I mention or stop by the Ecological Center or drop off a donation in the Donation box at Super Chomak.

We want Akumal to remain the beautiful special place many guests have enjoyed for many years. Your input and comments are always welcome. You can also drop by the snack bar on Mondays and Tuesdays for the talks on the Reef and Turtles at 6:30pm.

Best wishes for a joyful vacation!

Laura Bush Wolfe
Owner-Manager

P.O. Box 13326, El Paso, Texas 79913
Telephone:	1-915-584-3552
In the U.S:	1-800-351-1622
In Canada:	1-800-343-1440
Fax:	1-915-581-6709
reservations@hotelakumalcaribe.com