Condesa Beach Businesses Inspected by Government Agencies

(Acapulco, NA 27 October) On Monday, representatives of Semarnat and Profepa (federal environmental protection agencies) began an inspection of businesses along the Playa Condesa in Acapulco, with the intention of bringing them into compliance with federal regulations. The report should be ready within two weeks. The next step will be to bring informal vendors under the discipline of the regulations. The main targets appear to be the many informal vendors of food and beverage as well as providers of water activities like jet-ski rentals. Part of the problem is that informal businesses are unlicensed, causing overcrowding of services, unfair competition with licensed businesses, and violation of environmental protection rules. Roberto Velasco Delgado, the head of the Semarnat unit charged with protection of coastal ecosystems and environments, said that the areas near the Fiesta Americana Hotel have the greatest number of unregulated service providers, mainly of beach umbrellas and water sports activities. One of the purposes is to relieve the conflict among the businesses occupying the beach, as it is a small area. In contrast, Playa Tamarindos is a large expanse with very few beach businesses. The implication is that a redistribution of services would be considered appropriate.