special section Innovative Centers and Unique Venues Riviera Maya Eco-friendly meeting venues in a true tropical paradise

On the outer edge of the Yucatan Peninsula overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Mexico’s Riv- iera Maya is famous for its eco-adventures, crystalline beaches, and archeological trea- sures. These natural assets are a big reason why local hotels and resorts are amping up their sustainability initiatives. The popular resort destination is successfully fusing its ancient heritage with modern thinking by seeking certification from some of the world’s most prominent benchmark pro- grams in sustainable tourism. Tucked away on a 326-acre natural reserve

near Playa del Carmen, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa, & Nature Park isn’t a typical all- inclusive resort. The property’s nature park is the only one on the Yucatan Peninsula to house three distinct ecosystems — jungle, mangroves, and coastal dunes — which guests can explore by bike, kayak, or nature

tour. The 273-room resort is at the forefront of the area’s sustainable-tourism movement, with certification from both Green Globe, a benchmark program specifically targeted to sustainable tourism, and Sustainable Travel International. The 420-room Barceló Maya Colonial

hotel, part of the expansive Barceló Maya Beach Resort, overlooks one of the world’s most stunning beaches — a palm-tree-dotted stretch of sand that frames a translucent, tur- quoise sea. The first hotel in the Riviera Maya to receive the Green Globe Certification, the property’s many sustainability programs have also helped earn the resort the Earth Check Certification. Flanked by both tropical jungle and soft

beaches, the AAA Five-Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen has more than 91,000 square feet of well-

equipped meeting space, and expansive guest rooms that start at 1,000 square feet. This year, Forbes magazine rated the hotel one of the “10 coolest all-inclusive resorts,” and for good reason — Virtuoso called its spa

“the best in the world,” and its 24-hour butler service is legendary. In hip Playa Del Carmen, the all-inclusive

Reef Playacar Resort and Spa is just steps away from Fifth Avenue’s famous shopping and dining. Known for its lush vegetation and cenotes (natural wells found throughout Mexico) sprinkled in between the hotel’s vil- las, the 202-room hotel has also received cer- tification from Green Globe for its eco efforts.

For more information: Riviera Maya — rivieramayameetings.com

Enviromental ease Within its first year of operation, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya reforested the surrounding area with more than 18,000 trees.

98 PCMA CONVENE JULY 2012 PCMA.ORG