Grupo Vidanta wants to bet on the Mayan Train

Grupo Vidanta, a Mexican conglomerate of hotels, resorts and real estate developer, is interested in investing in the construction of the Mayan Train, informed its president, Daniel Chávez Morán, in the Tourism and Social Development forum. "The Mayan Train is a great idea, because in a decade of operation it will double the income of foreign currency to the country (...) we are interested in participating in the financing," Chávez added. Grupo Vidanta is developing a theme park in Riviera Nayarit in partnership with Cirque du Soleil, as well as managing hotels in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Peñasco and Mazatlan. Last week it was announced that Grupo Vidanta is eyeing the cruise industry in Mexico as well. The tender for the Mayan Train will be announced on December 1, when Mexico's president-elect takes office. It is estimated that the railway has a length of 1,525 kilometers and connects the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas and Tabasco. The cost of the train could rise to $150 billion pesos and take 4 years to be built. The president of Grupo Vidanta offered to finance the creation of a degree in tourism at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). "I ask you to take the floor, Grupo Vidanta is willing to finance the start of the degree (in tourism)," Chavez added. The executive recognized the role of the Anahuac University, which offers a range of education in the tourism sector. In addition, Chávez supported the elected president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), and called on the new government to promote projects in low-income areas. About the new Mexico City Airport, he said he is in favor of analyzing and reviewing the construction conditions of the project in Texcoco. "I warmly welcome the idea to analyze the new airport," the executive said.