Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences announced that Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park was awarded a Green Globe High Achievement Award for its environmental conservation commitments. This award was given to only six hotels in the world.

During the traditional Three Kings breakfast held for the media in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the tourism group announced the acquisition of this coveted award by the Riviera Maya ecotourism resort. In addition, a 2012 schedule of important cultural, environmental and sports events in order to boost tourism in the Mexican Caribbean was presented.

The Brand Director of Sunset World Group Annie Arroyo reported that Green Globe presented the High Achievement to Hacienda Tres Rios for achieving the highest score in the 320 indicators in environmental, social and cultural sustainability in the region of Mexico and Latin America.

The sustainability certification system developed exclusively for the travel and tourism industry also granted this recognition to; Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa, Bali (Asia / Pacific), Club Med Djerba La Douce, Tunisia (Africa), Hotel Concorde Berlin , Germany (Europe), Mövenpick Dead Sea, Jordan (Middle East) and Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba (Caribbean).

Last year Hacienda Tres Rios reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability when they received their third consecutive Green Globe Certification for excellent environmental performance. The property, designed and operated by Sunset World, met 96 percent of the 320 indicators examined by the certification company, represented in over 90 countries, which was the highest percentage worldwide.

Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences also announced events scheduled for 2012 promoting sports, culture and greater awareness for the care of the environment.

It was reported that the tour group will participate in the Bilin Bilin Cup this year in May 2011, hosted by the Sunset Ocean Spa Hotel, with the participation of 16 teams from Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala and Venezuela. It will be the sixth year for the competition and it is expected to generate more sports tourism.

The 2nd Sprint Triathlon Riviera Maya is another event scheduled to take place at Hacienda Tres Rios. Last March approximately 300 athletes participated and the event was covered by Televisa and TVC Sports.

Sunset World announced that once again they will participate in the celebration of World Wetlands Day, which falls in the month of February. Activities include the reforestation of mangroves and promoting awareness with students about the importance of these ecosystems. In the past four years, the Tres Ríos Nature Park nursery has produced and reforested more than 90 thousand mangrove trees.

For the third consecutive year the hotels and tourist properties will participate in the Earth Hour initiative by turning off their lights for one hour as a tangible commitment to raising awareness of the importance of preserving the planet earth.

Other events scheduled for 2012 will be the second edition of the Environmental Expressions Forum, which last year brought civil society groups together to exchange experiences in environmental preservation. In addition the details are being finalized for a 2nd bicultural meeting, which in 2011 joined representatives of the Mayan and Tibetan cultures in an unprecedented meeting full of magic and mysticism.

Finally, among the social and human development activities, the 3rd annual Stars by Nature Contest conducted in coordination with the Golden Years Club will take place in December to encourage the elderly to practice healthy living and arts and cultural activities.

Sunset World Operations strengthened with new appointments:

Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences announced the appointment of German Fayyad Sierra as the new General Director and announced the appointment of new directors as part of its plans for growth and consolidation as the best Mexican Caribbean vacation experience for 2012. The tour group named Luis Alfonso Oñate Hernandez as Director of Operations and Oscar Quiroz Orbe as Executive Corporate Chef, a newly created position in the group.
Another change in the area of ​​food and beverages is the hiring of Jaime Gonzalez Izazaga as Food and Beverage Manager of Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park and Sunset Fishermen. In addition Paola Flores joins the Vacation Club group as Manager of Sales and Promotion for RCI.

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, today announced the renewal of its affiliation agreement with El Cid Resorts. The 35-year old Mexican hotel group continues the partnership in an effort to offer the high-quality services and varied exchange options its owners have come to expect over the 27 years RCI has been its exclusive vacation exchange provider. The agreement includes El Cid Resorts’ six developments in Mazatlán,Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera.  

“We chose RCI as a provider of vacation exchange because it offers members the benefits of the world’s largest vacation exchange network, in addition to being committed to the growth and expansion plans of our company,” said Carlos Berdegue, president and managing director, El Cid Resorts. “RCI’s business and marketing solutions complement our service offerings, making for a very productive relationship.”

Each of the El Cid Resorts attracts visitors with its first-class oceanfront accommodations, luxury spas and friendly and dependable service. Mazatlán’s four locations are renowned for their golf courses, while the Cozumel location gives visitors access to cave and cavern diving. In the Mayan Riviera region, travelers staying at Hotel Marina El Cid Spa Beach Resort can go snorkeling in the aqua waters of the Caribbean in Puerto Morelos National Reef Park.

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Sunset World Resorts and Vacation Experiences was recognized for its commitment to high quality service by receiving five Distinctive H accreditations for its restaurants at the group’s eco-friendly Riviera Maya resort, Hacienda Tres Rios.

The Director of Operations for Sunset World Resorts and Vacation Experiences German Fayad was responsible for handing over the certificates to the management of the restaurants: Casa las Islas, Hacienda Grill, El Alebrije, Agave Tequila Bar in El Alebrije, and the staff restaurant Sabor Mexico. The accreditation is awarded based on the highest standards of quality of the Hygienic Management Program for Food and Drinks.

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Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), welcomes Grand Luxxe Residence Club on Mexico’s celebrated Riviera Maya, to its exchange network. Developed by Grupo Vidanta, it is the latest vacation ownership project in the company’s high-end luxury brand, which launched in 2008 with the Grand Luxxe Residence Club Nuevo Vallarta. 

“Grupo Vidanta resorts reflect world-class standards in shared ownership, with their unparalleled accommodations and amenities. We are very pleased to add their second Grand Luxxe property to our global network,” said Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and CEO of Interval Leisure Group. “The company’s ongoing commitment to the highest level of quality is evident in every detail of the new resort, from its stunning architecture and designer furnishings, to its unique personal butler service that caters to the needs of every customer.”

The largest two-bedroom villas feature between 2,300 and 3,000 square feet with spacious living and dining areas, gourmet kitchen, dual master suites, and a terrace or patio with a private plunge pool. Open-design rooms with 12-foot ceilings have a sleek minimalist decor with white on white, navy accents, zebra wood, marble floors, modern fixtures, Deluxxe Beds^® and 50-inch flat screen television with cable/satellite stations. Bathrooms have a marble vanity, oversized hot tub, and separate shower.

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The tourism corporation—Sunset World—announced a $26 million dollar investment that will expand its range of accommodations to six resorts and more than a thousand hotel rooms in Cancun.

Comprised of 22 tourism companies, Sunset World announced a $26 million dollar investment that will expand its range of accommodations to six resorts and more than a thousand hotel rooms in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

The multi-million dollar investment will add 80 new units to expand the Sunset Fisherman Beach Resort in the Riviera Maya and a complete renovation of the Royal Sunset Beach Resort and its 264 rooms, said Orlando Arroyo Marroquín, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sunset World. The investment is not including the scheduled construction of a new eco-luxury hotel with 450 rooms in the Riviera Maya.

The announcement was made during the XXXV Tourism Acapulco Tianguis, marking Sunset World’s position as one of the most important resort corporations in the Mexican Caribbean with 22 years in the industry.

The company recently incorporated two new boutique hotels in Cancun, the Laguna Suites Golf + Spa and the Ocean Spa Hotel, which were purchased and remodeled with an $11 million dollar investment. The exclusive tourism group also proudly announced the completion of the first phase of Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa & Nature Park in the Riviera Maya—a 273-room complex with a $60 million dollar investment.

With these new acquisitions, Sunset World will own six hotels and more than a thousand rooms with the Sunset Royal Beach Resort, Sunset Lagoon Resort & Marina, Laguna Suites Golf + Spa, Ocean Spa Hotel, Sunset Fishermen Beach Resort and Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa & Nature park—providing luxury and comfort in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort is the company’s most luxurious and ecological resort. With a 10-year master plan, Sunset World plans to build a total of more than 1,700 hotel rooms and residences available for whole or timeshare ownership in the 326-acre Tres Ríos natural reserve in the Riviera Maya. Future tourist developments in Cozumel and Isla Mujeres have also been included in the long-term plans of the company.

Sunset World was created in 1998 by Orlando Arroyo Marroquín with the financial support of visionary men in Cancun such as Romárico Arroyo Marroquín, Arturo Marcelín and Jorge Pallas Caceres.

In addition to modern hotels offering world-class services, the company offers the best vacation club ownership in Mexico and the Caribbean, awarded as such for 19 consecutive years with a Gold Crown by RCI, global leader in vacation ownership exchange.

Sunset World has become one of the most solid tourism corporations in the Mexican Caribbean. Due to its successful marketing, vertical and horizontal operation systems and direct sales, these strategies have allowed the hotelier company to grow and generate more than 5,000 jobs in Mexico, U.S., India, Philippines and England. Other important companies that fall under the Sunset World Corporation include the Marina Club Lagoon, the travel agency Sunrise Travel, car rental agency Royal Rent a Car, and its own progressive marketing firm.

Bert Hurstfield left Original Resorts to focus his time and energy on growing the H10 Premium vacation club in the Caribbean. American-born Bert Hurstfield grew up in Vancouver, Canada. But he relocated to Mexico
in 1995, and today he calls Cancun, Mexico home. From his base there, he is busy producing vacation homes in Mexico and elsewhere for people throughout North America and Europe.

An Impressive History
Hurstfield started his career with the Mayan Group in 2001 and quickly rose to the top there. Then, in 2004, he began a five-year term as president of the vacation club for Original Resorts. While at Original Resorts, Hurstfield and his team sold more than US$60 million of inventory. It was during that time that he was approached by executives at H10 Resorts who were interested in creating a vacation club. Together they began H10 Premium. For the next three years, Hurstfield pulled double duty, acting as president of both Original Resorts and the H10 vacation club.

In 2009, Hurstfield decided to leave his position at Original Resorts and concentrate solely on H10. He
says it was a tough decision, but Hurstfield felt it was time to give all of his energy to the H10 group.
H10 Premium currently operates three sales rooms, two in the Riviera Maya and one in the Dominican Republic. “We are looking at the possibility and viability of opening up the European markets in the future,” Hurstfield says. “We have more than 40 hotels in the group, and most of them are based in Europe, with more opening every year.” To date the H10 vacation club has made more than US$40 million in sales, and that number is expected to double in the next two years. “I believe our success can be attributed to a few different things,” Hurstfield explains. “We have a fantastic program which puts the emphasis on giving the customer more value for their money, while still taking care of the hotels’ interests and bottom lines. In addition, we put a lot of emphasis on training our staff. Not only are they required to pass a test before they can begin speaking with clients, but they are also given ongoing training and updates.

“It’s our goal to constantly look for new ways to make the experience of the H10 guest more enjoyable and
memorable,” he continues. “We believe that special treatment is what keeps members coming back year after year.”

Another big reason for the vacation club’s success is the great support and back up of hotel operations.
Hurstfield says that “all the issues that hotels and vacation clubs have had in the past don’t exist with us. We are all working together for the common good of the client and for the future.”

H10 Premium
The H10 Premium vacation club features upscale ocean-front resorts in the Riviera Maya and Dominican
Republic, as well as the Canary Islands in Spain. The program is supported by the almost 30 years of experience of H10 Hotels, a company with locations in strategic destinations around the world. H10 Hotels has developed an internal quality assurance program named H10 Quality, which also holds external certifications of quality, such as the Q of Tourist Quality, the ISO/9001-2000 granted by AENOR and the
membership of UNESCO’s Biosphere Hotels.

The H10 Premium membership has many benefits, including:
- Internal international H10 Premium exchange at no cost
- Discounts and exclusive rates for reservations at H10 Hotels establishments located in vacation
destinations and major cities in Europe
- H10 Premium discounts in hotel stores, spa, restaurants and activities
- Guest certificates without cost
- External exchange through RCI

H10 Premium members also automatically receive membership in Club H10 – H10’s affinity program – and
acquire the Grand Class category, which is the highest category inside the Club. Club H10 benefits include
welcome presents at the resort, priority booking, turndown service, bathrobe and newspaper in room, a lunch or dinner invitation during each stay, courtesy minibar on the arrival day, express check-in and late
check-out, and exclusive and special discounts around the world in H10 Hotels. Club H10 members also earn points for hotel stays that may redeemed for services and future stays.

H10 properties associated with H10 Premium include Ocean Maya and Ocean Coral & Turquesa in Mexico;
the Dominican Republic’s Ocean Blue & Sand in the Dominican Republic; and H10 Rubicón Palace, H10 Lanzarote Gardens, H10 Las Palmeras, H10 Costa Adeje Palace, H10 Tindaya, H10 Playa Esmeralda and
H10 Costa Salinas in the Canary Islands.

For more information on H10 Premium, contact: Sarah Boeckmann, tel. +52 998 734 8322, e-mail sboeckmann@grupohp.com.mx Vianey Archer, tel. +52 998 734 8319, e-mail varcher@grupohp.com.mx

Q & A with Bert Hurstfield, President of Operations and Marketing for H10 Premium

When and why was H10 Premium created?
H10 premium was created in 2006. It was created as a way to increase loyalty to our Caribbean hotels.

How many members do you currently have?
To date we have close to 3,000 members, and adding over 1,000 members a year.

What benefits will someone who joins H10 Premium have?
We offer our members a combination of benefits. First, the ability to travel around the world using RCI Points, or All Inclusive weeks which can be used at any of our H10 Premium locations, including those in the Canary Islands. In addition to this, we offer extra benefits inside our H10 Premium hotels, such as, VIP check in, upgraded drinks, special amenities, etc. We are constantly looking for new ways to make H10 Premium members more comfortable and content during their stay with us.

Your membership seems to be offer a lot of extras to the client. Do you see this as a trend in the business?
Absolutely. I believe that most hotels are listening to the concerns and needs of their clients, and that vacation clubs will continue to get better as competition increases.

Are there any benefits that you hope to have in the future?
We are currently working on upgrading our members overall vacation experience. Simply put this means, we want their time with us to be an experience and not just a vacation. Part of this plan we hope to achieve with the use of personal concierges, whose job it will be to pamper our members from the time they get off the plane until the time they get back on.

What are your goals for the future of H10 Premium?
Two things. First, we would like to improve our program and our benefits whenever and wherever possible. Second, we expect to open more resorts in the future, giving our members more travel options inside the H10 family of hotels.

Big Winners Include Fairmont, Marriott, American Airlines and Host Hacienda Tres Rios; Awards Help Traveling Public Find Best in Class

Hacienda Tres Rios, an all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, was the setting for the 2009 World Travel Awards’ North and Central America regional ceremony, held on the warm, tropical evening of September 21, 2009.

The World Travel Awards (WTA), described as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry, acknowledge the “best of the best” out of more than 500 nominees. The event was held in partnership with Hacienda Tres Rios, Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Yucatan Holidays, Yucatan Travel, RCI and Vive Mexico. Luminaries attending the event included Mexico Secretary of Tourism Sara Latife Ruiz Chavez, who also serves as governor of the state of Quintana Roo. In a statement appearing in the printed guide to the award festivities, she acknowledged the WTA organizers and sponsors, thanking them for “bringing here this important event which consolidates the image of Mexico and Quintana Roo within the world tourism map.”

The host resort had been nominated for recognition in several categories and proved its world-class status, taking the top nod as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel and Mexico and Central America’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort. Opened in November 2008, Hacienda Tres Ríos is the first resort of five at Tres Ríos. Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort boasts 273 suites featuring native materials and offering breathtaking views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

The unique onsite Tres Ríos Nature Park is open exclusively for resort guests, who can enjoy guided nature tours through 326 acres of pristine tropical jungle criss-crossed by three fresh-water rivers, dotted by 10 cenotes and home to 90 species of fauna and 120 species of flora.

While it is easy to see why Hacienda Tres Rios was named top all-inclusive, the elements that make an exceptional green operation blend seamlessly into the guest experience, striking a delicate balance of luxury holidays and conservation. This eco-luxury resort, located in a nature preserve, was constructed as part of a master plan that included more than two years of comprehensive environmental studies. The architectural design was based on rigorous environmental criteria and the buildings were placed on areas of lower environmental value. What’s more, in 2006 the Mexican government recognized Hacienda Tres Rios as a “regional and national model for sustainable tourism development.”

“In less than one year since opening,” said Tres Rios CEO Orlando Arroyo Marroquín in the guide, his resort “has become internationally renowned as the first luxury sustainable tourism development in Mexico.”

This commitment to ecological conservation “has garnered the recognition of the Mexican government as well as the major travel industry events in England, Spain and Germany, where we have been invited to share our experience as a case study,” he continued. “With the support of the important international organizations such as Green Globe International, World Heritage Alliance of the United Nations, Sustainable Travel International and Rainforest Alliance, Hacienda Tres Rios is a clear example that Quintana Roo and Mexico are ever working towards improving tourism and a healthy environment.”

Area Well Represented
But Hacienda Tres Rios isn’t the only reason to visit the Yucatan Peninsula. The area was well represented on the awards platform, winning several other WTA honors. Among them were Selvatica Puerto Morelos as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Adventure Park; Tulum, Mexico as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach; Terminal Punta Langosta, Cozumel, Mexico as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Cruise Port; Chichen Itza, Yucatan as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Cultural Heritage Destination; and Cancun as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination.

In other awards, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts bagged four North American awards including Canada’s Leading Golf Resort, Canada’s Leading Ski Resort, Canada’s Leading Business Hotel and North America’s Leading Golf Resort. The Leading Hotel Brand for North America went to Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and North America’s Leading Destination went to Miami.

WTA crowned American Airlines as North America’s Leading Airline and Mexicana Airlines as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City were named North America’s and Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airports, with The Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey (California) and Camino Real Aeropuerto (Mexico City) taking the honors for North America’s and Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airport Hotels.

The full list of winners for the World Travel Awards North and Central Americas can be found by logging on to www.worldtravelawards.com

How Winners Are Chosen
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 183,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe. Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in 919 different categories. In 2009, WTA opened the voting to the traveling public as well.

The inherent principles under which all nominations are judged are:
• Consistent overall business performanceand success
• Understanding visitor needs and expectations for a supreme customer experience
• High levels of customer satisfaction
• Valuing personnel
• Excellent internal and external communications
• Enterprising product expansion and development
• Fostering innovation, creativity and enterprise
• Expansion and development, and
• Team work that helps a company to deliver longer-term corporate vision

In 2009, regional ceremonies have also taken place in Dubai (Middle East region) and Durban, South Africa (Africa region). The European Ceremony is scheduled for October 17 at Praia D’ El Rey Golf & Beach Resort, north of Lisbon, Portugal. South America, Caribbean, Asia, Australasia and the Indian Ocean Ceremonies are slated for November 7 at the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel in London.

The 2009 Grand Final of World Travel Awards is set for the following night in the same venue. “This year’s winners can display the official World Travel Awards symbol with pride on their sales and marketing literature,” explained Graham Cooke, president of the World Travel Awards, “offering travelers a cast-iron assurance that what they are buying is a guarantee of travel excellence.”

Travel excellence such as provided at Hacienda Tres Rios. “It seems fitting,” said Cooke, “to celebrate the North & Central Americas awards ceremony in this beautiful destination, which sets the bar for the global travel and tourism industry, and creates hope for many young travel professionals.”

Top 5 Facts About the World Travel Awards

1. 3,600 travel companies, destinations and organizations are nominated every year
2. An average of 167,000 travel agents and industry professionals record their votes every year
3. Ten awards categories are dedicated to sustainable tourism
4. World Travel Awards nominations are decided by an independent panel of industry experts
5. Judging criteria takes into account every aspect of the business including overall performance, product
development, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction

Perspective magazine Editor Matt McDaniel represented Perspective International at the 2009 World Travel Awards’ North and Central America regional ceremony, held September 21, 2009 at Hacienda Tres Rios, an all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The World Travel Awards (WTA), described as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry, acknowledge the “best of the best” out of more than 500 nominees. The event was held in partnership with Hacienda Tres Rios, Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Yucatan Holidays, Yucatan Travel, RCI and Vive Mexico. Luminaries attending the event included Mexico Secretary of Tourism Sara Latife Ruiz Chavez, who also serves as governor of the state of Quintana Roo.

The host resort had been nominated for recognition in several categories and proved its world-class status, taking the top nod as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel and Mexico and Central America’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort.

Opened in November 2008, Hacienda Tres Ríos is the first resort of five at Tres Ríos. Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort boasts 273 suites featuring native materials and offering breathtaking views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

While it is easy to see why Hacienda Tres Rios was named top all-inclusive, the elements that make an exceptional green operation blend seamlessly into the guest experience, striking a delicate balance of luxury holidays and conservation. This eco-luxury resort, located in a  nature preserve, was constructed as part of a master plan that included more than two years of comprehensive environmental studies. The architectural design was based on rigorous environmental criteria and the buildings were placed on areas of lower environmental value. What’s more, in 2006 the Mexican government recognized Hacienda Tres Rios as a “regional and national model for sustainable tourism development.”

Feature-length articles appearing in the October editions of Perspective International Ltd’s publications, Perspective and Owners Perspective, further describe eco-luxury master plan at Tres Rios resort, detail the criteria for recognition by the WTA and how it benefits the traveling public, and provide a list of additional winners.

Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), announced the addition of Azul Sensatori by Karisma, in the Riviera Maya, to its vacation exchange network. Operated by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, the resort features the innovative Gourmet Inclusive® concept that is designed to elevate all-inclusive vacations to quality levels comparable to traditional luxury hotels.

“Every aspect of Gourmet Inclusive at Azul Sensatori, from the quality of the elegant suite accommodations to the outstanding amenities and service, is geared toward providing guests with a first-class experience. We expect our members will greatly enjoy visiting this unique resort in the Mexican Caribbean,” said Marcos Agostini, vice president, Latin America, resort sales and service, Interval International.

“Karisma has been recognized for its creative approach to hospitality management and for its product innovations. We launched the Gourmet Inclusive program in 2000 to appeal to sophisticated travelers and it has gained tremendous acceptance,” said Armando Chomat, vice president, sales and marketing, Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “We are continually making strides to improve the program and, as a result, our properties have been honored with some of the hospitality industry’s top accolades.”

Located in the exclusive Petempich Bay area, Azul Sensatori includes 438 suites with unobstructed views of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical gardens. The suites feature contemporary designer furnishings, dark wood accents, marble floors, ample living and dining areas, and oversized terraces.
Guests can enjoy a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere and a host of all-inclusive amenities and services: dining at six restaurants; 14,000-square-foot spa and fitness center; a nightclub; multiple pools with swim-up bars; kids’ and teen’s club; kid’s pool and splash park; beach butler; concierge; and 24-hour room service. The property is 25 minutes south of downtown Cancun and easily accessible from the Cancun International Airport.

Other activities available nearby include a variety of water sports, fishing, and a tour to the archeological sites at Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Founded in 2000, Karisma Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to providing hotel management, sales, and marketing services to third-party hotel owners and hotel asset managers. Karisma currently operates six Gourmet Inclusive® properties in the Riviera Maya.

Interval International operates membership programs for vacation owners and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 33 years. Today, Interval has a network of approximately 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries and offers its resort clients and about 2 million member families high-quality products and programs through offices in 26 cities in 16 countries. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

Numerous Opportunities in Riviera Maya Attract Buyers and Developers from Across the Globe

Mexico is one of Latin America’s fastest growing vacation destinations with tourism being the third largest revenue source for the country. The Yucatan Peninsula accounts for more than half of those revenue numbers and it continues to grow each year. Initiating a series of properties in the ideal Riviera Maya region, Grupo Grand Coral presents an array of diverse product offerings, while promising complete investment security and support.

Located only 30 minutes from the Cancun Airport and five minutes from the popular coastal town Playa del Carmen, this $2.5 billion investment spans across 561 lush oceanfront acres (227 hectares), contributing to the great urban expansion of the region. Blending notable brands, hotels, expansive resorts, an 18-hole Nick Price golf course, entertainment and retail/restaurant outposts, Grand Coral Riviera Maya will be an unmatched grand oasis.

Grand Coral Riviera Maya neighbors downtown Playa del Carmen and its popular Fifth Avenue, a vibrant street lined with fantastic boutiques and restaurants, which actually continues into the grounds of the project. Construction phases are estimated to take place over the next ten years and $700 million has been invested to date.

Already underway is Mareazul which includes 300 luxury beachfront condominiums. The development will offer a fine selection of amenities including a spa, Botanical Zen garden with Mayan sculptures, beach club with private cabanas.

“Grand Coral Riviera Maya will truly be the first of its kind in the region,” states CEO Jordi Mercadé. “This master development presents a great opportunity to developers and investors to be in an impressive gated community with multiple real estate options.”

The selection includes a variety of land lots, “there is really an opportunity for developers and investors at every level and we will work with each one individually to meet their needs.”

The 18-hole golf course will be designed by Hall of Fame golfer Nick Price, who said, “I am very excited with the opportunity to design the golf course for Grand Coral Riviera Maya.” It was the uniqueness of the project that attracted Price to design the course located on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen. “The project will have the feel of an urban resort something that is very unique to the area. For several years I had vacationed here enjoying the fishing, good food and wonderful people and I am happy to be back here now to design a course in the vibrant city of Playa del Carmen,” said Price. The golf course will take approximately two years to complete. In what will be a first for Price, the project will feature the Nick Price Residences, consisting of 123 residences available for full or fractional ownership, located adjacent to the clubhouse with views of the course.

Investors and developers will also be pleased to know that Grand Coral Riviera Maya is incorporating numerous eco-friendly components to protect the surrounding environment as much as possible. More than 75% of the land will be kept in its natural state or turned into recreational parks and gardens in order to contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Furthermore, all greenery removed during construction will be housed in a greenhouse until ready for replanting. “It is very important for us to work in harmony with the land and we will encourage this lifestyle with all developers and future residents of Grand Coral,” adds Mercadé.

Riviera Maya is truly a paradise region in Mexico that welcomes thousands of visitors annually. Abundant in pristine nature both on land and beyond the shore, this area is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef which lies in the ocean waters bordering Grand Coral. On land, residents and visitors have never-ending recreational activities to choose from including ancient Mayan ruins at nearby Tulum and the famous Chichen Itza (located only two hours away), swimming a magical underground river at Xcaret, adventuring the exotic park at Xelha, or simply enjoying a peaceful afternoon soaking in the sun on the white sandy beach. Playa del Carmen’s renowned Fifth Avenue presents numerous stores, eateries as well as a thriving nightlife.

A Range of Product Offering:
The company’s portfolio features developments of several properties in the Riviera Maya region including Emerald Residential Tower & Spa (Cancun), Mareazul and Nick Price Residences (within Grand Coral in Playa del Carmen). With varied prices and an assortment of featured amenities such as hotels, golfing, entertainment and retail/restaurant shops, Grupo Grand Coral has created an enclave of opportunity for tourists and investors alike.

• Emerald Residential Tower & Spa is a 20-story tower containing 106 luxury condos. Its location is one of the last pieces of land in the Cancun hotel zone directly on the beach. An amenity-rich project, residents are provided with concierge services, a management office and a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa. With 157,240 square feet of land and 269 feet of sea front, it is the best option for investment. In just two years the development has already achieved 70% sales. The development is fully completed and ready to move in. Prices range from approximately $1.2 million to $2.9 million.

• Mareazul, part of the Grand Coral Rivera Maya complex, is already well underway and will feature 300 luxury beachfront condominiums, offering a choice of two, three and four spacious bedrooms. Each residence features balconies with private Jacuzzis and fully-equipped kitchens. The community will also include 24- hour security and 650 feet of white sandy beach. Prices start from the low $600,000 to $1.5 million. Completion is scheduled for 2010.

• Nick Prices Residences In what will be a first for Hall of Fame Golfer Nick Price, Grand Coral Riviera Maya will be home to Nick Price Residences, 123 stylish homes located adjacent to the spectacular 18-hole Grand Coral Golf Course. The Residences will be a hideaway that will provide comfort, privacy and luxury to those who dwell in them. It will include exclusive membership to the Grand Coral Beach Club. Extraordinary common areas include Paddle-tennis courts and pools. The resort boasts over 170,000 sq. ft. of sculptured gardens, lakesand pools and homes ranging from 862 square feet-1,410 square feet. These homes also come with a golf cart and represent a remarkable investment opportunity; 92 homes are available at full ownership. Homes will also be offered for fractional ownership. Prices for full ownership range from $279,000 to $490,000.

A Secure Investment:
One of the best assets of Grupo Grand Coral is the fact that the company is backed by prestigious financial houses Bancaja and Banco de Valeancia, both part of the five largest financial conglomerates in Spain. This alone displays the security of investment in their products, as well as guaranteed financing. Depending on a specific development, financing from 60-70% is available, despite the global economic climate. Furthermore, the success of the developer is also displayed in all of the “anti-crisis” commercial plans in order to maintain the rate of sales. And unlike many other master developments in the region, Grand Coral Riviera Maya is the only master development in the Mexican Caribbean that secured all of the necessary permits and licenses to move forward with construction, which again displays the developer’s commitment to the project and support to potential investors.

Nick Price
Nick Price was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003, after competing at the highest level in golf for four decades. Since turning pro in 1977 and joining the PGA tour in 1983, Price’s professional achievements have included three Major championships and 18 PGA Tour wins. Price won 15 PGA Tour tournaments in the 90’s, a remarkable achievement matched only by Tiger Woods. He was ranked number one in the world in 1994, a position he held for 16 weeks. He was the recipient of the 2002 Payne Stewart Award given for upholding the traditions of the game and in the same year, Price was the first recipient of the ASAP Sports/Jim Murray Award, given to a professional player for his cooperation, quotability and accommodation to the media. In 2005, the USGA presented the 2005 Bob Jones Award to Price in recognition of his distinguished sportsmanship in golf. A global icon in golf, Price represents all that is good about the game. Price began designing golf courses in the early nineties and brings to all of his design projects a personal familiarity with the great golf courses of the world and a commitment to provide golfers with a challenge that is interesting and enjoyable for all golfers. He limits his work to two or three projects a year to be able to provide a personal, hands-on approach to designing golf courses with a focus on dedicating time, energy and knowledge to his projects to make each course unique. He has designed courses in the United States, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Europe, Ireland, Dominican Republic and Mexico.