ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO – More than 5,000 guests descended on Isla Mujeres, Mexico recently for the Second Annual Whale Shark Festival, a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing the achievements, traditions and environmental splendor of Isla Mujeres while championing the need to preserve a fragile marine ecosystem.
Sponsored by ecotourism travel agency Ceviche Tours, the Isla Mujeres Department of Tourism and other environmental leaders, the Whale Shark Festival, held July 15-19, 2009, offered guests an opportunity to participate in ecotourism adventures such as swimming with whale sharks, enjoy traditional dancing performed by local troupes, explore ancient Mayan ruins and so much more.
The Festival also featured an Artisans Exposition at Mainsquare where several local women’s artisan groups displayed their works. There was an array of games for the whole family, a food court showcasing local flavors and traditional dishes from Isla Mujeres restaurants, and stands from Festival sponsors.
A Boost to Tourism in Mexico
The Festival had a significant positive impact on tourism in Isla Mujeres, where the average hotel occupancy rate increased nearly 22 percent throughout the event. Sea-related tourism activities also saw a surge in business, rising 26 percent.
“The Festival has turned global attention to the benefits ecotourism can have on a community like Isla Mujeres,” said Eyder Jahil Hoth Pérez, director of tourism for Isla Mujeres. “This is a significant travel trend, and Isla Mujeres boasts a wealth of resources and ecotourism activities for guests to enjoy. We are fast becoming the destination for ecotourism adventures.”
A Family-Friendly Event
The Festival featured several activities for kids to learn about helping the environment. “Educating children about the importance of recycling, showing them how they can get involved to protect the marine environment and its biodiversity -- with beach cleanups, and just the choices they make every day – is vital to our future,” said Catalina Galindo de Prince, executive director of Amigos de Isla Contoy, A.C.
Whale Shark Bloom of 200+ Whale Sharks
Kicking off the Festival was the much anticipated whale shark bloom. The months of June-August bring large aggregations of whale sharks near the coast of Isla Mujeres. This season guests joined scientific researchers in witnessing more than 200 of these gentle giants, the largest fish in the ocean and an endangered species, coming together to swim in a single group. Each whale shark is 23-40 feet in length, offering a spectacular sight of the wonders of this natural marine habitat. Approximately 1,400 whale sharks make their way through the waters of Isla Mujeres every summer, according to Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory and speaker at the Whale Shark Festival.
Swimming with Whale Sharks
One of the most popular activities of the Festival was the opportunity for guests to swim with the whale sharks. They joined an effort by Project Domino, a conservation program implemented by the Mexican government, to protect and preserve whale sharks by adding their underwater photos to Project Domino’s visual database of the unique markings, or spots, that can identify individual whale sharks. These markings allow scientists to track these graceful creatures. Images from the Project Domino regional database are shared with a global database from nonprofit ECOCEAN.
“Swimming with whale sharks is an unforgettable experience,”
“International events, and especially those such as the Whale Shark Festival which have a strong local element as well, are absolutely essential to increase the conservation culture through environmental education,” noted Rafael de la Parra, Lead Marine Biologist for Project Domino.
Academic Seminars and Film Showcase
Guests also participated in a series of Academic Seminars led by preeminent scholars on marine biology, sustainable ecotourism and Mayan architecture. Francisco Remolina of the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (National commission of Protected Natural Areas) and director of the Yum Balam preservation reserve, headlined the Seminars. Dr. Remolina was key in forging new legislation to have the marine area north of Contoy all the way to Holbox Island declared a biosphere for the protection of whale sharks.
Whale Shark Festival sponsors included Ceviche Tours, Project Domino and the Department of Tourism of Isla Mujeres. Nonprofit partners include environmental leader Amigos de Isla Contoy A.C., which promotes the conservation of Isla Contoy, nature areas and regional projects of the Yucatan peninsula.
