Mexico Provides Adventurous Experiences and Luxurious Group Accommodations

Slowly, we rappelled into a small hole, surrounded by rock, into an underground cave, and a world of stalagmites and stalactites and turquoise water bathed in spears of light appeared. The Mayans revered this cave and believed that its water was a fountain of youth. In the cave, we jumped off a cliff and took a baptismal dip.

 

Xenotes Oasis Maya is a new tour that takes groups into the middle of the Mayan jungle to four different cenotes, ancient sinkholes created by crystalline springs, connected by a network of underground rivers that vary in shape and characteristics, unique to the Yucatan peninsula. Cenotes were considered a source of life for the Mayans because they provided water and represented an entrance to the netherworld, and center of communion with the gods.

 

Each of the cenotes we visited was named for one of the four elements of nature and their Mayan origins. At K'áak (fire), kayaks were waiting for us, and we paddled, surrounded by the lush jungle. We glimpsed the underwater world at Ha' (water) while snorkeling, then an exhilarating view of Iik' (wind) via zipline. 

 

Our unforgettable adventure was topped off with a picnic of soup, p remium cheeses, sandwiches, salads, beverages, and beer and wine under a palapa in the jungle. Xenotes Oasis Maya takes care of all the details. Life jackets, snorkel and rappel gear, kayaks, and towels are all provided. 

 

 

An adventure like Xenotes Oasis Maya is only possible in Mexico, and is one of many unique group excursions available. Others include exploring the extraordinary ruins of Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba left behind by the Maya; speed boating in the mangroves; or snorkeling with whale sharks. 

 

Cancun is Mexico's most popular destination and one of its treasured gems. With 145 hotels offering more than 34,000 rooms to choose from, easy accessibility via Cancun International Airport, and over 700,000 square feet of meeting space, Cancun has all the elements needed for a successful meeting. Plus, it is a destination that understands the tourism industry. An added bonus, is that there is no tax, thanks in part to the Taza Cero (0 percent VAT) initiative that Mexico has instituted for international visitors.

 

"The Cancun of today is evolving before our very eyes. Now, more than ever, experiential variety defines Cancun's appeal," says Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Beyond the destination's renowned turquoise waters and white-sand beaches, Cancun's history-rich attractions, soul-satisfying gastronomy, luxurious diversions, alluring properties, and international events come together to create a melting pot like no other."

He points to the great weather, wide range of activities, and easy connection to numerous other destinations throughout the world as just a few of the reasons why Cancun attracted almost 2,000 meetings and conventions last year, adding up to almost 900,000 attendees.

 

Not one to sit on its laurels, the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau recently unveiled new voluntourism and social responsibility offerings for groups, including a partnership with Travelfuture, a globally focused corporate social responsibility and volunteer travel activity provider.

 

"Travelfuture brings incredible offerings for corporate social responsibility that the destination has not yet explored to its highest potential," says Almaguer. "This is an important factor for Cancun's growth as a top meeting destination because it will increase our voluntourism options and allow visitors to experience the true Cancun, meet the locals, and give back to the community."   

 

Travelfuture's offerings include: 

 

Cancun nonprofits benefit from both the manpower and financial donations from groups that use Travelfuture's services. Tax deductibility of donations for U.S. and Mexican companies is facilitated. 

 

 

Mexico has a wealth of upscale all-inclusive resorts. Knowing exactly what a program is going to cost upfront, without any hidden fees, appeals to meeting professionals. Plus, an attendee can get a bite to eat or a drink when they want one. 

 

Palace Resorts' signature property, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, recently unveiled its new convention center, Moon Palace Arena. The 140,000-square-foot convention center underwent a $55-million renovation. The multi-functional space includes eight versatile meeting rooms, approximately 11,000 square feet each, exhibition area and foyer, outdoor terrace for events, mezzanine level with offices and boardrooms, snack areas, easily accessible loading docks, and the latest A/V equipment.

 

Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort will host Mexico's leading travel industry event, Tianguis Turistico, at Moon Palace Arena on May 7, and at press time was expected to attract influential media, industry leaders, and Mexico's president, Enrique Peña Nieto. 

 

Totaling almost $100 million, Moon Palace's enhancement project began in 2012 with the successful renovation of the property's Sunrise section and the creation of exciting new amenities and attractions, including a FlowRider Double wave simulator, the Noir nightclub, a dolphinarium, WIRED Teen Lounge, refreshed meeting spaces, and restaurant upgrades. Part of this renovation project included the $22-million renovation of its Nizuc section, which includes 120 newly revamped guest rooms, the main lobby, swimming pool, food and beverage outlets, and Tortugas Ballroom. 

 

Set on Cancun's tranquil south shore, nestled between 123 acres of tropical foliage and secluded white-sand beach, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort offers more than 2,400 waterside and garden-view accommodations or golf villa suites. Multiple pools are complemented by two children's pools, one Golf Club pool, six whirlpools, and four swim-up bars. The property offers complimentary long-distance calls to the U.S. and Mexico and complimentary Wi-Fi in every guest room, public areas, and throughout the meeting spaces. 

 

Circle K, a fuel and food convenience store chain, has had its annual incentive trip and conference at Palace Resorts for the past six years. The outing, attended by store managers, regional managers, market managers, and vendors, has been held at Moon Palace for the past two years.

 

"The staff is just amazing. Everyone, from gardeners to housekeepers to waiters and waitresses, says hello as you walk by," says Tony McDaniel, a Circle K category manager. "If anyone from our group has a request, the answer is always, 'No problem.' Not only do they take care of it, but they bend over backwards. Although our group only uses a hundred rooms, Palace makes us feel like we're their No. 1 priority."

 

Melissa Hayes, a Circle K administrative assistant, adds: "To know our attendees could have whatever they want whenever they want is awesome. Plus, room service is included. This was the perfect opportunity for them to try foods they've never tried before as another option is always around the corner." Palace Resorts' other properties in Mexico include Le Blanc Spa Resort, an AAA Five Diamond award winner; Beach Palace; Playacar Palace; Isla Mujeres Palace; Sun Palace; and Cozumel Palace. 

 

 

Hard Rock Riviera Maya, unveiled in December 2013, offers 1,264 guest rooms -- each boasting a balcony, terrace views, or a new, expansive sky terrace option with picturesque views. The resort hosted a two-day opening event from May 4-5 that included performances by Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia. Offering outdoor pools and a private beach, this all-inclusive resort has nine restaurants and eight bars and lounges, in addition to 88,915 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space. 

 

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers several youth-friendly components including HIT Entertainment's Little Big Club, Teens Lounge & Club, snorkeling, and kayaking. In addition, the "resort within the resort" -- adults-only section Heaven -- includes the Hard Rock signature Rock Spa with 75 treatment rooms, four restaurants, and three bars and lounges, including a premium service nightclub.

 

From the moment 1,600 incentive qualifiers from the Denton, TX-based Sally Beauty Holdings Company entered the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun this January, they were impressed. The huge guitar-shaped driveway provides the ultimate VIP entrance, followed by the lobby's neon-lit glass staircase, sheer metallic curtains, and dramatic lighting to enhance the custom rockstar memorabilia lining the walls, showcasing signature pieces from Paul McCartney, Melissa Etheridge, Shakira, and Alice in Chains. The group from this international retailer and distributor of beauty supplies enjoyed all-inclusive amenities such as in-room double hydro tubs, fine dining, top-shelf drinks, and live entertainment. The 12-story beachfront hotel boasts 601 guest rooms including ocean or lagoon views and balconies to enjoy the cool tropic breeze. "The Hard Rock Cancun was just exceptional," says Shannon Quintero, senior operations manager for Sally Beauty Holdings. "They treated our people like they were royalty." Quintero was also pleased with the easy accessibility and great airlift. So impressed with the brand was Sally Beauty Holdings that it has booked the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta for 2015 and the Hard Rock Riveria Maya for 2016. 

 

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta is a 348-room resort on Mexico's Pacific Coast that offers an ideal mix of adventure, relaxation, and rejuvenation in Riviera Nayarit.

 

The cost of a stay at any properties in the Hard Rock All-Inclusive Collection includes all food in the restaurants or private group meals, all beverages, cocktail receptions, coffee breaks, meeting space, function space, taxes, tips, and gratuities, non-motorized water sports, and even phone calls to the continental U.S. and Canada. 

 

 

The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, adjacent to each other in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone, combine to offer 900 guest rooms and more than 80,000 square feet of event space. What's new are the resorts' "groups all-inclusive" options with add-on perks. Marriott properties don't traditionally offer all-inclusive options, but the team launched this initiative to provide planners with its reliable Marriott product for one set price. 

 

In other hotel news, Barceló Hotels & Resorts has completed the first phase of its more than $48-million renovation of its Riviera Maya-based Barceló Maya Beach Resort complex, comprising five separate all-inclusive resorts. The two-phase, multi-million-dollar project focuses on the complex's Barceló Maya Beach and Barceló Maya Caribe resorts in an effort to further enhance the overall guest experience. With the $28-million additions to Barceló Maya Beach Resort now finished, Barceló Maya Caribe Resort is slated for completion by the end of 2014.

 

The Barceló Maya complex has shared meeting space including a full-size convention center, one of the largest in Riviera Maya. Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe alone offers two meeting rooms, convertible into six rooms with a capacity of 45 to 350 people. Additionally, throughout the five combined Barceló properties, there are 13 function rooms with capacity for up to 1,680 people.

 

IBEROSTAR Playa Mita opened in December in Riviera Nayarit. The all-inclusive resort is located in Playa Mita on a beautiful beach facing the Pacific Ocean and is just 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. 

 

One of the brand's Premium Gold resorts, it features 452 guest rooms, including 120 oceanfront junior suites (which provide guests with a dedicated concierge service), and two presidential suites. Golfers can hit the links at the Litibu Golf Club, conveniently located next door. This 18-hole, oceanfront championship course, designed by Greg Norman, wows with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

 

Mexico is a main destination for RIU Hotels & Resorts. The brand's first hotel in Mexico was the Riu Yucatan, inaugurated in 1997 in Playa del Carmen. RIU now has six hotels in Playa del Carmen, four hotels in Cancun, three hotels in Riviera Nayarit, two hotels in Los Cabos, one hotel in Mazatlán, and one hotel in Guadalajara.

 

The Presidente InterContinental Mexico City is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, set to be completed in early 2015. The project includes updates to its 700 guest rooms, spa, and other common areas. For meetings and events, the hotel accommodates groups of up to 1,600 people with 11 rooms in total. Eight newly renovated conference rooms on the 10th floor offer spectacular views of the city and the Chapultepec Park for up to 30 people. The hotel also features a  "women-only" floor to aid in the comfort of solo female travelers. In August, the hotel will open a new restaurant concept called Chapulín -- the hotel's tribute to Mexican cuisine, featuring a broad range of local dishes and ingredients. The hotel's wine cellar is the largest in Mexico and Latin America, with over 80,000 wines from all over the world.

 

Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort is also currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guest rooms, lobby, meeting space, and bar area. The renovation is set to be complete in the first quarter of next year. In terms of meeting space, the hotel has three flexible function rooms, ample outdoor venues for special occasions, and a variety of services, from support for corporate meetings to full-fledged incentive activities complete with themed parties.

 

The 220-room Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa has a new restaurant, the Napa Steak & Grill, as well as the new Bin K'iin Lobby Bar. The Resort offers three meeting rooms: the Coral Room, which accommodates up to 250, the Jacque Cousteau Room for up to 65 people, and the Palancar Room, which accommodates up to 40 guests.