39
a unique show that follows a rebellious teenage girl who gets caught
up in her eccentric grandfather
’
s search for the secrets of life in the
jungle. Opened in November 2014, the spectacular theater, designed and
built by Vidanta’s own architects, offers a new level of intimacy and
technical innovation.
Joyá is also the first Cirque du Soleil show to include a dining
experience as part of the performance. “We’ve had excellent accep-
tance. We’re happy to see people of all nationalities enjoying the
show,” says Felipe Ramirez, vice president of the board of directors
for Grupo Vidanta. “Theater visitors are thrilled with the quality of the
facilities and, of course, the quality of the show, which augments the
gourmet experience.”
An Amazing Sandbox
“Grupo Vidanta is offering us an amazing sandbox in which we can
unleash our creativity,” says Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil.
“Both our groups strive for perfection. Grupo Vidanta is passionate
and cares for the environment. We set ourselves the challenge of
creating something unlike anything the world has seen before.”
A new endeavor in Nuevo Vallarta — tentatively titled Celebrate — is
the second involving both companies. The property will feature three
resort hotels — each themed — as well as a full Cirque du Soleil show,
and a water park.
The development of the Nuevo Vallarta project aims to reimagine
the theme park experience in the same way Joyá redefines theatrical
and culinary entertainment in the Riviera Maya. “We have been dream-
ing together with Cirque du Soleil to create new categories of enter-
tainment for Mexico and the world for more than five years,” says
Chávez Morán. “The demand we’ve seen for Joyá makes us confident
in knowing future projects will be met with success. When guests see
what we are able to build in Nuevo Vallarta, they will know we are now
in the position to build our dreams.”
The complex at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta is about 20 minutes from
downtown Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit, and is still in development.
It will include water and nature park elements and visitors can
immerse themselves in a magical realm of surreal structures, strange
characters, spectacular rides, and unexpected adventures. The park
will feature an outdoor evening show accommodating as many as
3,000 to 5,000 spectators.
“Riviera Nayarit’s development is among the most spectacular in
Latin America,” says Ramirez. “We have hotels of different categories,
including the Grand Luxxe, but nothing like this. What has been done
in this destination has shown visitors that Mexican hospitality can be
compared with the best in the world.”
Environmentally Conscious
As is the case with all Grupo Vidanta developments, the resorts are
designed to be environmentally friendly, as protecting the Earth is an
integral part of the company’s corporate policies and practices. “In
Grupo Vidanta, we make sure we take great care in all our processes
to protect the environment, and this is part of our culture as a group, of
our policies, and of our day-to-day practices,” says Ramirez. “We use
biodegradable technology, vehicles that reduce the level of noise and
emissions, local raw material, and we encourage recycling.”
Grupo Vidanta’s properties have been awarded Earth Check
Certification, a globally recognized certification, for more than 10
consecutive years. “Our resorts have a commitment to preserve the
environment. We create responsible and efficient solutions, and we
stick to them. From the use of local resources to developing aware-
ness programs, we pride ourselves on the positive impact our practices
have in the world that surrounds us,” says Ramirez.
He explains that it can be challenging to try to develop a region
and be environmentally conscious, but, “Fortunately, the company has
a well-structured senior management team that supports us fully in
making our projects successful. Our teams of engineers and architects
work with cutting-edge technology that allows them to move forward
with precision in each one
of the new projects.”
The entertainment com-
plexes were envisioned to
promote tourism to their
respective regions, and
will also create thousands
of new jobs. Construction
for the Nuevo Vallarta pro-
ject is expected to be
completed in 2018.
Marcos Ommati has more
than 20 years of international
experience in journalism. He
is editor-in-chief of the U.S.
Southern Command’s
Diálogo
magazine and
website.
Acapulco, Guerrero
Mayan Palace Acapulco
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit
Grand Luxxe Residence Club
The Bliss Nuevo Vallarta
Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta
Mayan Place Nuevo Vallarta
Playa del Carmen,
Quintana Roo
Grand Luxxe Residence
Club Riviera Maya
The Bliss Jungle
The Grand Bliss Riviera Maya
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora
Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco
Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
Mayan Palace Riviera Maya
Grupo Vidanta Resorts
Affiliated With Interval
International
VIDANTA RIVIERA MAYA
VIDANTA NUEVO VALLARTA