Green tourism or collapse, the race for sustainable infrastructure

In an era marked by climate emergency, tourism—one of the most dynamic economic sectors on the continent—faces an unavoidable dilemma: adapt to the change or become unsustainable. Between Mexico and the United States, two nations tied by massive tourism flows and shared biodiversity, the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure is no longer a strategic option but an urgent economic, environmental, and social necessity. From Baja California to Florida, passing through the Riviera Maya and the Grand Canyon, the transformation of hotels, parks, and attractions into green destinations has accelerated, although unevenly across regions and investment models.

In 2024, according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism, tourism accounted for 8.4% of Mexico’s GDP and 7.7% of the United States’. However, less than 20% of new tourism developments in Mexico integrated international environmental certifications such as LEED or EarthCheck. In contrast, in the U.S., 35% of new resort developments in states like California, Colorado, and Hawaii adopted clean technologies such as solar energy, autonomous wastewater treatment systems, and low-impact construction materials. Universities such as Tecnológico de Monterrey and the University of California have warned that poorly planned tourism developments are degrading key coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific, threatening regional climate resilience.

A positive example in Mexico has been the Sustainable Tourism Program led by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), which in 2024 channeled 2.5 billion pesos into community-based ecotourism projects in Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, and Chiapas. However, challenges remain in implementation, oversight, and intergovernmental coordination. In the U.S., progress has been more consistent, thanks to federal and state tax incentives for renewable energy use in the hotel sector, which allowed 28% of newly built hotel rooms in 2024 to operate with Class A energy efficiency.

Despite these advances, mass tourism continues to pose a threat to protected areas. Parks such as Tulum, Sumidero Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite reported overcrowding during peak seasons in 2024, prompting a need to rethink models for mobility, water consumption, and waste management. Digital solutions, such as advance booking systems based on ecological carrying capacity analysis, are only beginning to be implemented in pilot regions.

The challenge in 2025 will be to articulate a binational vision for sustainable tourism that combines technological innovation, green public investment, and active local community participation. This means harmonizing cross-border regulations, attracting private capital that values sustainability as an economic asset, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism do not concentrate in corporate elites but permeate the social fabric of destination regions. "Tourism nearshoring"—attracting U.S. tourists to nearby destinations in Mexico with a lower carbon footprint—is a real opportunity, but only if infrastructure is built with environmental responsibility and respect for local biodiversity.

Moreover, greater involvement from universities and innovation centers is needed to develop technology tailored to ecological tourism. From sensors that control hotel water usage to artificial intelligence that regulates tourist flow in natural areas, the role of scientific knowledge will be key to achieving a just transition. Mexico and the United States must understand that their shared natural heritage—from deserts to coral reefs—can only be protected through integrated policies and firm political will.

Ultimately, 2025 will mark the beginning of a decisive decade: either we consolidate a regenerative tourism industry with clean and efficient infrastructure, or we witness the erosion of the very landscapes that sustain our local economies. This is no longer just about attracting visitors—it’s about ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and thrive from the natural richness now at risk.

Written by: Editorial

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