Incentive - May 2008 - (Page 85)

TRAVEL MEXICO The pool deck and beach of The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun Three writers from Incentive recently visited properties in Cancun and Los Cabos, Mexico’s major incentive destinations Three Takes On a Classic Aqua Cancun Cancun For Grown-ups I n the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane, Cancun, Mexico decided to rebuild more than its storm-battered physical infrastructure and beach. The leaders of the city’s tourism industry decided to rebuild its reputation and target market, focusing more on the upscale leisure and incentive market and less on the spring break destination it was becoming known as. That is reflected in the new marketing campaign launched last month by the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Cancun: Deeply Unique,” which highlights more than just the destination’s famous sun and beaches. Cancun will be shown as a fully integrated tourist destina- tion, with cultural attractions, adventure and eco-tourism activities, fine dining, luxury spas and a thriving meetings, incentives and conventions market. One of the new hotels that personifies this trend is the Aqua Cancun. Opened a few months before the hurricane, Aqua’s management completely rebuilt the property, which had its real grand opening in February. The result is a very chic luxury resort with a very modern feel. Aqua is a consummately stress-free place, starting with check-in, which is handled one-on-one at soft benches looking out over the Caribbean, with cool moist towels and tasty iced tea, rather than at a desk. My suite, with a nice-size balcony overlooking the ocean, had a light, airy feel, enhanced by soothing colors and the white gauze curtains instead of walls and doors separating the bed, bathing room (as I called it) and living room. The bathing room had a huge shower and enclosed WC, of course, but was designed around the circular whirlpool tub set in the middle of the room. With the curtains pulled aside and the balcony doors thrown wide, it was like bathing outdoors. “The recent incentive program Windward [International Corporation] managed at Aqua was an exceptional experience for the attendees,” says Phil Mullins, the Deerfield, Ill.–based incentive travel management firm’s president. “What makes an incentivemag.com | May 2008 | Incentive | 85 http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - May 2008

Incentive - May 2008
Contents
Editor's Note: Turn to Incentives in Hard Times
In The News: At IMRA Conference, Trade Show Talk; In Utah, Team-Building Trauma
Cover Story: Can Incentives Save the Media Business?
Incentive Interview: Our New Columnist, Christi L. Gibson
Case Study: Architecture Firm WESKetch Builds a Recognition Plan
Incentives in a Recession: Advice on Adjusting Your Plan
Office Bullies: The Scourge of the Workplace Can Be Reined In
Original Research: Incentive Sales IQ Report
Recognition@Work: Stop Driving Your Top People Away
Incentive Primer: Ways to Foster Creativity in Your Organization
Travel News
Puerto Rico: Shining Star's Trendy Makeover
Mexico: Cancun and Cabo Still Have It
Potentials Here and Now
Luggage and Leather Goods
Gift Cards: F&B
Advertiser Index
Last Word: Stanley Bing Gives Wimpy Bosses a Nuggie

Incentive - May 2008