Maya 2102 Interview by Al Jazeera English TV

EPISODE February 1, 2012.

Is the Mayan prophecy being exploited for profit? Indigenous groups say they’ve been largely left out of tourism plans. http://staff.stream.aljazeera.com/story/201202011948-0022018 As the end of the Mayan long count calendar approaches, countries such as Mexico, Guatemala and Belize have launched tourism campaigns aimed at promoting travel to renowned Mayan cultural sites. The interpretation of the calendar has led to the belief among some that Dec 21, 2012 marks the end of civilisation. Mexico, for example, is planning to spend millions of dollars in states that make up parts of the Mayan world and host hundreds of cultural events. But will the tourism boom benefit the Mayan people? Indigenous Mayan claim they have not been entirely included in these plans and that their communities will benefit minimally. There are also concerns that their culture is being misrepresented. In this episode of The Stream, we speak to Quetzil Castañeda, professor of anthropology at Indiana University, and Alejandra Garcia Quintanilla, senior researcher at the Autonomous University of Yucatan. What do you think? Are countries’ tourism initiatives taking advantage of and misrepresenting the Maya culture? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag#AJStream.

1. Seven million Mayans live in various regions of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and five states in Mexico. Mayan culture is hailed for its rich history, and several Central American countries with Mayan populations have focused their tourism agenda to reflect the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar.

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· 3 YEARS AGOMexico's

tourism agency is organising over 500 Mayan-themed events this year and anticipates 52 million visitors in its southeastern region. Mayan ruins, a key attraction for international tourists in Mexico, are pictured below.

"The celebration of the end of the Mayan calendar's cycle is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the great cultural, historical and human heritage that we posses," said Mexico's Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara Manzo. "We are so excited to share the unique Mayan culture with the world."

1. Guatemalan officials said their country is expecting a 10 per cent increase in tourism. President Otto Perez Molina emphasised 2012 as an important year for the nation:

“We believe that 2012 is an opportunity for Guatemala to become one of the favorite destinations of the world. For that we will work on promoting and improving security conditions.” 1.

2. Mayan academics and community leaders have been vocal in dispelling the 2012 apocalypse myth and its relation to Mayan culture. Critics say Westerners have misrepresented the Mayans and that the alleged prophecy has become nothing more than a marketing tool. The infographic below shows various doomsday scenarios, which Mayan scholars say are misguided and inaccurate.