Humanistic tourism through the Maya Train Megaproject: A new narrative for tourism development in the Yucatan Peninsula

Indigenous peoples, their natural habitats, and their cultural fabric are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of uncontrolled and unplanned tourism development. Sustainable and alternative approaches to tourism have sought to minimize the negative impacts of tourism while generating socioeconomic benefits to host groups, but they have not addressed intangible aspects related to their dignity, well-being, and flourishing. The aim of this chapter is to propose a new narrative to protect and promote human dignity in activities related to tourism. We illustrate the need for this narrative through the case example of the Mayan Train mega-project in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Drawing upon humanistic management literature, we pay particular attention to the potential and the responsibility of the government and private industry in recognizing the human dignity of the Mayan residents in communities around the Mayan Train stations. We also outline five general principles by which to promote compassion, happiness, human dignity, and achieve flourishing and well-being through tourism.