Photo Credit: All by Matt Klinger/MadPixPro
More than 80 event professionals participated in Northstar Meetings Group's Destination Mexico & Latin America last month, at the beautiful Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort — and the host property welcomed us warmly. The local team's creativity was in full effect for the beachside welcome reception, and the modern meeting facilities at the on-site Tulkal Convention Center made for productive education sessions and one-on-one meetings.
Featured speakers addressed different facets of community-building. In the first session, "Think Like a Social Impact Entrepreneur," consultant and equity, diversity and inclusion expert Zoe Moore discussed the importance of an expanded definition of "social impact," one that encompasses a wide variety of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Environmental concerns such as climate action, food security and clean water are crucial, Moore acknowledged, but an expanded view of social impact includes broader aspirations such as reduced inequalities, gender parity, well-being, local partnerships and infrastructure improvements.
Through her discussion with Nubia Younge, the founder of Black in Tulum and Black in Travel, they highlighted the social-impact factors inherent in building a successful local business that fosters community among an underserved travel market while also strengthening and benefiting the local network.
On the following day, our group learned about a new state tourism initiative, Maya Ka'an, that promotes community-based tourism among the Mayan villages in the region surrounding Tulum. Guide Gilberto Kauil Ché, who hails from and still lives in one such traditional village, described some of the activities and sites that can be seen in the area — and the importance of this tourism to the communities.
Participants also experienced firsthand more of what the area has to offer groups, in the form of impressive receptions and delicious meals at both the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal and the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, and through off-site tours at the Río Secreto underground river or the ruins at the Tulum archeological site.
The following event highlights were captured by photographer Matt Klinger of Mad Pix Pro.