Sargassum seaweed threatens Caribbean tourism in Mexico and Dominican Republic

The proliferation of invasive sargassum seaweed is significantly impacting tourism in the Caribbean, particularly in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In Mexico, destinations such as Cancún and the Riviera Maya have seen a considerable decline in tourist numbers due to the abundance of seaweed covering beaches and shorelines.

In the Dominican Republic, the issue is causing growing concern for major tourist hubs including Punta Cana and Bávaro. While some areas like Bayahibe remain less affected, industry leader Frank Rainieri has called for immediate government action, urging the Dominican government to implement a plan to combat the seaweed to prevent further economic damage to the nation's tourism-dependent economy.