Sustainability is now more than a buzzword in the events industry. In 2025, more companies are taking their environmental impact seriously, and given the often-large footprints of meetings and incentives, choosing destinations and hotels that prioritize eco-friendly practices is a big part of the equation.
Marriott International Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) reported that from its customers’ perspective, 76% of travel buyers have or plan to integrate sustainability into their policies, and 79% of planners say sustainability is important to them and their customers.
To Marriott CALA, this shows a big evolution in customer behavior. Previously, requests rarely focused on sustainability; nowadays, sustainability is a core component of their requirements.
In Mexico, specifically—a country that relies heavily on the tourism and MICE economies—balancing growth with sustainability top-of-mind is increasingly important. Many properties in popular meetings and incentives locations in Mexico are meeting planners’ evolving needs, implementing sustainable practices, assisting with carbon measurement and promoting eco-friendly activities. Here’s a roundup of some properties leading the way.
[Read more about sustainability trends in the meeting and events industry]
Marriott Properties in Mexico
As one of the biggest hotel brands in the world, Marriott International has invested significant resources in sustainability. The company has set goals through the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to reduce carbon emissions, with both short- and long-term targets.
In Mexico, specifically, the hotel giant has thrown its weight behind major initiatives, like supporting The Ocean Foundation in restoring marine protected areas in Mexico, including mangrove reforestation, helping offset emissions from large-scale events and contributing to long-term climate resilience.
Specific meetings-friendly properties across the country are working to be leaders in sustainability, while also promoting tourism that protects Mexico’s environment, culture and communities. Some notable examples include:
- At The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City, guests attending events can participate in eco-tourism activities like canal tours with local growers, recycled textile workshops and visits to circular economy stores. The property has 4,300 square feet of luxurious meeting space overlooking Chapultepec Castle and Park.
- Marriott Puerta Vallarta Resort & Spa released over 35,000 sea turtles in 2024. Guests attending events can join wildlife conservation activities led by the property’s marine biologist, blending education and engagement. The hotel can host up to 700 for events in its largest of 15 meeting spaces.
- JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco has eliminated single-use plastics, implemented energy and water efficiency programs, and partnered with local suppliers for circular sourcing. Events feature waste separation, recycling and experiences like #EvolutionInMotion, which connect sustainability with art and community. The hotel has more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
Marriott is walking its talk at its own internal events, too. At the 2024 GM Conference in Cancun, Marriott eliminated plastic bottles, went fully paperless and served sustainable menus. At Exchange Mexico–CALA Global Sales Event, digital check-ins, low-carbon menus and zero-waste welcome kits were featured, showcasing how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into high-profile client experiences.
[Related: 3 Luxurious Los Cabos Resorts for Incentive Travel Programs]
Palladium Hotel Group
Palladium Hotel Group, a Spanish hotel chain with properties in Cancun/Costa Mujeres, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, has integrated sustainability into its corporate structure, with one of its flagship initiatives, “Palladium Cares.” This corporate social responsibility program focuses on sustainability, community support and environmental protection, advancing projects such as:
- Establishing Social Action Training Centers that empower local communities with education and skills, helping build long-term opportunities beyond tourism.
- Investing in biodiversity conservation programs in and around its resorts, including reforestation and protecting native flora and fauna.
- Promoting sustainable practices among staff and guests to reduce waste, water usage and energy consumption.
In Mexico, Palladium’s resorts regularly participate in these efforts, so groups can engage with the properties directly to organize local community visits, environmental workshops and volunteer activities tied to these programs.
Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres and TRS Yucatan are two properties that report regularly hosting groups with sustainability in mind. Eco-conscious event design, nature-based activities and working with planners to achieve their sustainability goals are a regular part of the planning process.
Both resorts are designed with eco-friendly principles in mind, minimizing environmental impact while protecting native mangroves and wildlife,” said David de los Santos, regional sales and marketing senior director, Americas for Palladium Group. “Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres, for example, is surrounded by pristine mangroves and rich biodiversity, and was built using sustainable materials.
“Beyond infrastructure, Palladium Hotel Group supports wider environmental and biodiversity initiatives such as turtle conservation in Riviera Maya, mangrove and coral restoration, and volunteer-driven programs like beach clean-ups and environmental education,” he continued. “While these initiatives are not tied exclusively to group events, they are part of the broader ecosystem of commitments that groups can align with when choosing our hotels.”
Palladium PRO, the official platform for meeting planners and travel advisors, also provides tools and services that support more sustainable events such as eco-friendly catering options, waste reduction strategies and guidance on minimizing the carbon footprint of group events. Additionally, the company reports that 70% of the energy consumed across its hotels in eight countries already comes from renewable sources.
[Related: Day-Trip Excursions for Groups Meeting in Coastal Mexico]
Grupo Xcaret
In the Riviera Maya, Grupo Xcaret operates Xcaret Park—a theme park and eco-tourism development—and nearby hotels, claiming that every stay at a hotel supports its sustainability model “to ensure conservation, diffusion and development of the natural, sociocultural and economic heritage for our future generations.” This includes a species conservation and freeing program, species reproduction program, school project and environmental education program, and the efficient use of resources and responsible management of residues.
The AAA Five Diamond, adults-only property from Grupo Xcaret, La Casa de la Playa, has its own unique sustainability initiative, where select suites feature jellyfish aquariums that showcase specimens bred in the hotel’s own marine life lab. Part of its Sustainable Reproduction Program, the project supports biodiversity preservation and protecting marine ecosystems.
The hotel also actively participates in Grupo Xcaret’s Coral Reproduction Program, which focuses on coral cultivation and reef restoration in the Mexican Caribbean. Additional eco-conscious initiatives include solar panel installations, water reuse via advanced osmosis systems and smart glass to reduce energy consumption.
La Casa de la Playa has 63 suites and meeting rooms with the capacity to host events of up to 200, making it a nice fit for intimate executive retreats or luxury incentive programs. Its larger neighbor, Hotel Xcaret Mexico, has 900 rooms with plentiful meeting space for 1,200-plus people. Sustainability and cultural initiatives at Hotel Xcaret Mexico include responsibly separating and disposing of waste reduction; promoting Mexican culture via Mayan ceremonies and Melipona bee ceremonies; and in conjunction with Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México, supporting reforesting projects and beach protection; among others.
