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Here, guests can perfect their games with a combination of state-of-the-art training technology and the best instructors in Mexico. It’s no surprise that Vidanta Golf is recognized as a lead- ing golf course operator in Mexico. A Fusion of Real Estate and Entertainment New openings aside, Grupo Vidanta’s creative and pioneering efforts to combine real estate and entertainment have attracted more attention to the company recently. Over the last few years, Grupo Vidanta has expanded its focus beyond resort hotels into all-in-one destinations filled with exciting and singular experiences. “At Vidanta, we strongly value innovation,” says Chávez. “From debuting new dining and activity concepts, to renovating resort grounds and developing new properties, to forging landmark partnerships with groundbreaking brands such as Cirque du Soleil, we’re always pushing ourselves to keep evolving in order to create truly extraordinary vacations for our members and guests.” The much-talked-about deal with Cirque du Soleil sprouted in 2014, when Grupo Vidanta debuted JOYÀ. The unique show is housed at the Cirque du Soleil Theater on the Vidanta Riviera Maya property, a theater designed and built by the Vidanta architects. This theater received the 2015 Obra del Año award as the most important Mexican building pro- ject of the year and creates a perfect backdrop for the performance, as well as the three-course meal choreographed to complement it. JOYÀ is the first Cirque du Soleil show to include a dining experience as part of the performance. The Beginning The story of Grupo Vidanta dates back to the 1970s, when a young and visionary Daniel Chávez Morán decided to apply his knowledge as a civil engineer to start a real estate consortium. As the founder of Grupo Vidanta, Chávez Morán was named one of the top 100 impor- tant businessmen in Mexico by CNN in 2014. He is also a member of the Citizen Security Advisory Council of the United Nations Development Program, and in 2015 received the Distinguished Leadership Award for Civic Engagement in the Americas from Inter- American Dialogue. In 1974, Grupo Vidanta’s first development opened its doors: Paraíso Mazatlán. Six years later saw the inauguration of the second resort: Paraíso del Mar in Mazatlán. From then on, Grupo Vidanta’s progress never stopped. In 1991, the company opened Mayan Palace Acapulco, a five-star resort of more than 200 acres (81 hectares). According to industry experts, this concept redefined the Mexican vacation resort experience. In addition, the company has built and sold more than 2,000 luxury vacation homes and developed Mar de Cortés International Airport in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico’s first pri- vately built and owned airport. A premier spa provider, Grupo Vidanta took its offerings to a new level with the recent addition of Spatium, a high-end, state-of-the-art spa with locations in Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Maya. Friend of the Environment Another core value of Grupo Vidanta is respect for the environment. Chávez explains that the company operates every facet of its business with the utmost integrity and respect for the planet, “taking great care to comply with and go beyond the strictest policies and best practices of sustainability.” Grupo Vidanta has been recognized with the EarthCheck Gold Certification every year since 2007 — an honor given by the interna- tional scientific benchmarking, certification, and advisory group for travel and tourism. The company uses efficient technologies, biodegradable and recyclable products, environmentally sound con- struction practices, and zero-carbon vehicles. For example, Vidanta Riviera Maya’s water treatment facility has increased the amount of recycled/captured water to 47 percent throughout the resort, and 98 percent on The Jack Nicklaus Golf Course at the resort. A Great Place to Work Today, Grupo Vidanta’s properties attract some 700,000 visitors a year, with annual revenues of more than US$750 million. The company, which is consistently recognized as one of the most sought-after employers in Latin America, employs more than 15,000 individuals. Apparently, it’s not only guests who go home happy from Grupo Vidanta’s resorts. Thanks to its employees, the company has received the Great Place to Work (GPTW) recognition for the past five years. The company has also been listed among the top 10 Best Companies to Work For in Mexico since 2013. “The only way to ensure our members’ happiness is to start with our employees’ happiness,” Chávez says. Chávez reflects on the popularity of Grupo Vidanta properties: “Our strategy is to provide guests with the best possible vacation experience. We also believe in giving our guests ways to engage in those extraordinary vacation experiences, even when they’re not on vacation. That’s why we’re proud to offer a brand-new website full of rich content — Vidanta.com — and a strong social media presence.” Whether exploring Vidanta.com or luxuriating in the countless ways to relax and rejuvenate at Grupo Vidanta resorts, members and guests are bound to find fulfillment, according to Interval International’s Marcos Agostini, senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America. “Grupo Vidanta is a first-class entity with a commitment to serving its customers an extraordinary experi- ence. The company is deserving of its many awards and accolades.” See page 2 for currency conversions. 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. Developer: Grupo Vidanta Headquarters: Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico Product: Deeded weeks Resorts: Nine affiliated with Interval International, in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Acapulco, Puerto Peñasco, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán Website: GrupoVidanta.com; Vidanta.com Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Grupo Vidanta fast facts MAYAN PALACE ACAPULCO