Experiencing agricultural failure: Internal migration, tourism and local perceptions of regional change in the Yucatan

Growth with Equity for the Development of Mexico: Poverty, Inequality, and Economic Growth (1992–2008)

“…Additionally, in the case of Quintana Roo, 14 According to Currit & Easterling (2009), the adoption of the maquiladora model in Mexico, after the dismantling of the import-substitution development strategy in the 1980's, caused a change in population patterns across the country, which led to industrial and population deconcentration trends away from Mexico City and towards the least urbanized areas in its sharp population increase must be attributed to its growing tourism industry, which grew to be the largest source of income and economic growth in the region, comprising nearly 80% of the state's GDP in 2008 (Carte et al, 2010). …”

“…Therefore, it is possible to verify that, while Mexico's overall population has been rising, the rural population is on the fall (see Table 1), which is related in great part to the economic stagnation of the rural sector since the 1980s, forcing people to move out from the countryside to the cities or abroad. According to the literature (Carte et al (2010), Currit and Easterling (2009) (Esparza et al, 2001), driven by growth in the maquiladora industry (Currit & Easterling, 2009). 15 Visceral manifestations of economic status, improved welfare and material gains achieved through migration and remittances, stand out in the otherwise impoverished rural landscapes, serving as powerful signifiers of the asymmetrical opportunity structures afforded by migration as opposed to agricultural livelihoods in Mexico (Carte et al, 2010).…”

“…According to the literature (Carte et al (2010), Currit and Easterling (2009) (Esparza et al, 2001), driven by growth in the maquiladora industry (Currit & Easterling, 2009). 15 Visceral manifestations of economic status, improved welfare and material gains achieved through migration and remittances, stand out in the otherwise impoverished rural landscapes, serving as powerful signifiers of the asymmetrical opportunity structures afforded by migration as opposed to agricultural livelihoods in Mexico (Carte et al, 2010). Moreover, according to Currit & Easterling (2009), as the population decline of the rural sector is followed by decreases in total available income, limiting economic opportunities and fostering declines in rural infrastructure, livelihoods and wellbeing, this results in additional pressure to migrate to places where job availability is perceived to be greater, as is the case of the Mexico's-northern-border industrialized cities (Currit & Easterling, 2009) or the urban tourist poles of the Yucatan Peninsula (Carte et al, 2010).…”

Linking Remote Sensing, Census and Interview Data to Understand Forest Transitions in the Southern Cone of the State of Yucatán, México

“…The result is a push-pull effect that encourages rural people to abandon their traditional agricultural practices and their communities to seek employment in urban centers. This process has occurred all across the Yucatán Peninsula (Carte et al 2010, Chowdhury 2010 and is likely another important driver of forest transition in this region. The informants reported that outmigration has resulted in lack of laborers to work in the local agricultural plots, which has led to land abandonment.…”

“…Predicted increases in forest cover were linked to the incorporation of ecotourism activities by the Yucatec Maya in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula as the result of increased global environmentalism (Garcia-Frapolli et al 2007). Additionally, neoliberal agricultural reforms have negatively affected traditional agriculture, while neoliberal tourism development has privileged working in the tourism sector as a more viable livelihood strategy (Carte et al 2010). Policies leading to the establishment of large common property forests for non-timber forest product extraction and institutions to manage these forests sustainably are critical in maintaining existing forest cover (Bray et al 2004).…”