39 village ecotourism projects across Yucatan win a Latin American prize for keeping tourism money home

Camino del Mayab, a community-tourism initiative in Mexico's Yucatan, has won the international NaturaTech LAC 2026 recognition for a model that ties economic development to conservation and cultural preservation. The initiative coordinates 39 ecotourism projects across 14 communities - Merida, Tecoh, Abala, Sacalum, Uman - involving more than 240 local people, designed so tourism income stays in the villages and biocultural heritage is preserved. Chosen from 397 proposals across Latin America and the Caribbean by two judging panels, the award is led by BID Lab of the Inter-American Development Bank. Winners gain connections, technology and market intelligence - catalytic support that prioritizes social and environmental benefit over financial return.