From coast to coast, Mexican destinations and resorts have new openings and curated experiences on offer that engage attendees in the local culture.
"Mexico continues to be a top leisure and business travel destination for incentive trips, meetings and corporate events," says Claudio Zboznovits, VP, international business development and global MICE, Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt. "It appeals to planners for its location, diverse and vibrant culture, regional cuisines, stunning natural beauty, growing infrastructure and history steeped in places like Cancun, Tulum, Los Cabos and beyond. Our resorts range from small, ultra-luxury boutiques for adults to large properties with convention centers and golf course facilities for guests of all ages."
Experiences for groups at Inclusive Collection resorts include sommelier-led tequila and wine tastings and master chef-led culinary classes, nearby golf course access, and restaurants offering global cuisines, evening entertainment, dance and Spanish lessons. For the more adventurous, activities can include kayaking, scuba diving lessons and, in select locations, surfing lessons.
"We have been fortunate to have continued growth throughout Mexico over the last 20 years and currently offer more than 46 resorts across 15 destinations in Mexico, with easy accessibility for U.S. and international travelers from eight airports throughout the country," says Zboznovits. "Looking ahead, the Inclusive Collection will be introducing four new luxury, beachfront resorts in Mexico by the end of 2024 that will serve as ideal backdrops for future group business, including Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, Dreams Grand Island Resort & Spa, and Dreams Estrella de Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort."
Evergreen promotions at Inclusive Collection resorts include Diamond Advantages, which offers tiered concessions of complimentary services, upgrades, discounts and amenities; 5% Cash Forward, which offers earned credit towards a second meeting or group event; and Our Compliments To You, which allows planners to waive standard set-up fees so they can re-allocate these funds to upgrade with custom details. Time-sensitive and resort-specific promotions include complimentary inclusions at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa to exclusive group rates at Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa—both only available through March 31, 2024.
"Our air connectivity from the United States continues to expand," says Rodrigo Esponda, managing director, Los Cabos Tourism Board. "Currently, we have 28 cities in the United States offering non-stop flights, but we will have three new cities added over the next few months. Starting with Las Vegas, we will have one non-stop flight with Alaska Airlines to Los Cabos, then we will have Kansas City, and then St. Louis, Missouri. So with these three, we will have 31 cities in the United States offering non-stop flights directly into Los Cabos."
Esponda points to the variety of options that business events groups can experience as a key differentiator for the region. The location offers easy access to the ocean, mountains and desert, meaning that groups could spend their first day in the mountains, enjoying activities such as mountain biking or hiking; and then the following day visit the desert; and then on the third day take a sailing boat out to the Sea of Cortez for a whale watching experience.
"One of our top activities is a sunset sailing group experience," says Esponda. "Imagine enjoying dinner on a boat that takes you out during the sunset to view the Arch of Cabo San Lucas with a world-class menu prepared by one of the top chefs in Mexico. Chef Javier Plascencia has a boat that offers dinner sailings that can be arranged for groups up to 150 people. It's a very nice option for groups and it really provides a wow factor. Another experience is visiting the San Jose del Cabo historic downtown, a Mexican town founded in 1791 that closes for pedestrians every Thursday. It boasts the largest arts district in Mexico with 33 art galleries all in the same area. Many of the galleries also have terraces or spaces where group events can take place such as a cocktail reception or even hands-on art classes."
New openings in Los Cabos include the 79-room, all-suite Grand Velas Boutique, which opened in late 2023. Los Cabos will see its second Four Seasons property open in February 2024, which will feature a private golf and beach club, fitness center, pools, restaurants and spa amenities. Park Hyatt Los Cabos is set to open in summer 2024, offering 162 rooms and 35 residences, as well as several pools and a 2-mile-long golf course.
St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira is expected to open towards the end of 2024, and will offer 120 guest rooms and 60 private residences situated on 1,850 acres. The resort will feature multiple swimming pools, a private beach club, three restaurants and bars, a wellness center, and more than 20 miles of walking and biking trails.
Hotel Tesoro Los Cabos is renovating its jr. suites in 2024, which make up 120 of the property's 256 rooms. With a prime location right on the Marina of Cabo San Lucas, the hotel offers an all-inclusive option as well as a convention center with 12,000 sf of space that can accommodate up to 530 theater-style as well as five breakout spaces. Amenities include three restaurants, swimming pool, spa, fitness center and easy access to local nightlife and amenities.
"Palladium Hotel Group just launched Bravo Dinner & Dance, an enchanting and immersive experience that promises an unforgettable evening filled with delectable cuisine and captivating entertainment for families," says Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, VP of sales and marketing for the Americas, Palladium Hotel Group. "The event features stunning dance routines, impressive displays of acrobatics and aerial artistry, and an entertainment lineup that leaves spectators awe-inspired."
Meanwhile, Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya reopened in December 2023 after undergoing a $40 million renovation.
Palladium offers unique experiences for groups such as training programs at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, located at TRS Coral Hotel in Costa Mujeres. The tennis training program focuses on technical, strategic and physical preparation for all ages and skill levels. At TRS Yucatan Hotel, the aquatic activities and dive center provides a mix of teambuilding experiences, including cenote diving and sportfishing, and luxury yacht rentals.
"Our dedication to crafting unforgettable experiences goes beyond leisure to specifically cater to the needs of business travelers," says Arizmendi-Stewart. "Situated in strategic locations across Mexico, we actively embrace the 'bleisure' trend, ensuring our properties offer an optimal blend of work and play, making it an ideal destination for MICE groups. At the core of Palladium Hotel Group is a commitment to entertainment, which is evident in our daily activity calendars featuring beach yoga, dance classes and Spanish lessons. As travel trends evolve, and multigenerational travel evolves, we strive to cater to every adventurer's desires.”
"Beyond conventional meeting spaces, Velas Resorts provides unique venues in captivating outdoor settings, allowing for customization to align with the event's theme or purpose," says Cynthia Kunz, global sales director, meetings & incentives, Velas Resorts. "Additionally, the resort places a strong emphasis on immersive experiences, collaborating with local experts and artisans to deeply engage attendees in the culture of the destination. Culinary offerings go above and beyond with distinctive experiences such as Michelin Dinners Under the Stars and Taco Therapy. Velas Resorts' innovative Group Takeover Program grants companies exclusive access on full buyout basis to Mar del Cabo and Casa Velas for meetings and teambuilding activities, ensuring complete privacy."
The new Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos opened in December 2023 as Velas Resorts' third property in Los Cabos. The resort offers 79 luxury suites as well as a nearly 3,000-sf ballroom with an 8,500-sf event terrace. Other features include an infinity pool, spa, fitness area and private beach area, as well as the expertise of a two-star Michelin consulting chef.
"At Velas Resorts, the ultimate goal is to eliminate hassles for attendees, providing a holistic experience that includes a sense of place, local flavors and cultural immersion," says Kunz. "Exclusive experiences, such as insider microadventures, helicopter trips to historical sites, and Cellphone Concierge services, contribute to its unique appeal."
"Melia Hotels International has been a leader in the meetings industry in Mexico for decades," says Carmelina Iannarone, CMP, CMM director of group sales, MICE North America, Melia Hotels International. "With hotels and resorts spanning the entire country, we offer planners diverse resort options in many of the most sought -after destinations from Los Cabos to Cancun. Recently, planners have been most impressed with our focus on spotlighting the local Mexican cultures, from dining offerings that use the freshest ingredients in the area, to off-property excursions that provide guests with one-of-a-kind experiences in the destination."
Melia has recently announced plans to double its presence in Mexico over the next two years, including an expansion of the luxury lifestyle ME brand. ME Sayulita is set to open in Mexico's Playa de Carricitos region in 2024, joining ME Cabo and the future ME Guadalajara. The 125-room property will feature three restaurants, swimming pool, spa and a rooftop bar with pool and beach club. Other anticipated openings include ZEL Sayulita, created in collaboration with Rafael Nadal, which is expected to open in 2025. Paradisus Los Cabos is also set to transform into an adults-only hotel starting Jan. 15, 2024.
"Booking one of our all-inclusive resorts offers planners a more predictable budget, simplifies the cost management and provides a range of high-end amenities for a fixed price," says Iannarone. "In Mexico, our all-inclusive resorts offer a diverse range of high-end culinary options, many in partnership with top chefs from around the world, all included in the nightly rate. Our seasoned planning teams are trained to provide groups with tailor-made experiences, offering groups complimentary upgrades, spa discounts and more."
"Every Posadas property offers unique settings and experiences, and no two properties are alike," says David Manzella, SVP of sales & marketing, Fiesta Americana Travelty/Posadas. "Each of our Resort Collection properties offers group attendees indigenous experiences at the various destinations such as the vibrant backdrop of Puerto Vallarta, to the Mayan culture woven in at our Cancun properties. Our City Collection properties incorporate the history, culture and culinary experiences of every Mexican city, from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende to Oaxaca."
Posadas has recently announced a strategic alliance with Kempinski Hotel Cancun to commercialize its 363 rooms in Quintana Roo. The property will be available through Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events’ group sales team, adding a new option to its range of destinations, which totals 29,833 rooms in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Kempinski Hotel Cancun features more than 27,000 sf of indoor function space as well as a range of outdoor venues.
Other anticipated new openings from the company include the Live Aqua Riviera Cancun and Grand Fiesta Americana Riviera Cancun All Inclusive Resort & Spa, which broke ground in September 2023. The new resort will feature 1,052 rooms between the two brands, as well as 19 restaurants and bars, and a 45,000-sf convention center.
"We make it simple," says Manzella. "Our Premium All Inclusive Package at our Resort Collection properties allows the professional meeting planner to budget down to the very dollar, as everything is included. From standard private daily meals to nightly receptions, it’s all included at an exceptional price. The value we offer goes beyond dollars and cents though, as the true value is experiencing one of our award-winning properties with our passionate and dedicated team members, who look after every attendees’ needs."
Quintana Roo, located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the home of destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, offers unique and immersive experiences for groups that showcase Mexican culture and traditions.
Luchatitlan combines Cancun nightlife with the thrills of Mexican wrestling in a one-of-a-kind lucha libre show. The performance features live music, three matches and 14 fighters on stage, and seating options can include a culinary experience of Mexican antojitos served at your table.
Groups interested in deepening their appreciation of Mayan traditions can visit Mystika Immersive in Tulum, a multi-sensory museum devised by Mexican photographer Pepe Soho that explores Mayan cosmology and cultural heritage. Comprised of four thematic rooms, the space combines photography, artworks and sound to transport the visitor to locations such the humpback whale sanctuary in Baja California, firefly sanctuary in Tlaxcala and the pyramids of Chichen Itza.
“The meetings industry is a key piece for the development of the destination in all levels," says Andres Martinez Reynoso, general director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board. "So the efforts are aimed at continuing to boost its growth hand-in-hand with the main actors with the objective of professionalizing all the members of the value chain and offering every day, superior quality services.”
Cenotes are deep water wells that were a main water source for the Mayan people and hold much cultural significance. Many cenotes in Quintana Roo are available for group events such as VESICA, which boasts culinary and wellness offerings as well as an event stage. The cenote complex is available for buyouts and can host events for up to 300 people. BUUTS HA is a day club located inside a cenote offering 13 accommodations, yoga, meditation, spa and top national DJs playing sets every weekend. The space is available for buyouts and can host up to 1,500 people for an event. It offers a restaurant located in the middle of the cenote area that can accommodate up to 300 for a cocktail reception.
visitloscabos.travel; palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/meetings-and-events; velasmeetingsmexico.com; hyattinclusivecollection.com/en/meetings; www2.melia.com/meliapro/en/meetings-and-events.html; fiestamericanatravelty.com/en/meetings; mexicancaribbean.travel/meetings