● The Mexican company received two of the top international awards presented during IAAPA Honors 2026.
● More than 300 global industry leaders visited the Riviera Maya to learn about Grupo Xcaret’s model of innovation, operations, and “Xustainability.”
Xcaret, Riviera Maya, May 14, 2026. From May 12 to 14, IAAPA Honors 2026—the world’s premier summit for the parks, attractions, and entertainment industry—took place in Mexico for the first time, hosted at Hotel Xcaret México. During the event, Grupo Xcaret was honored with two major international awards from IAAPA, reaffirming its leadership as a global benchmark for tourism innovation rooted in Mexican identity.
At the gathering, which brought together international leaders, operators, and creative professionals, the company received the following distinctions:
● IAAPA Regional Young Professional Award, presented to Rodrigo Quintana. This award recognizes his leadership and integrity as part of a new generation of executives driving industry development. Rodrigo has distinguished himself through his innovative vision leading the “Xurreal Innovation” division and his steadfast commitment to inclusion through projects like “Manos Xuaves,” which integrates deaf individuals as performers in entertainment experiences.
● IAAPA Brass Ring Award, in the “Best Collective Visual Merchandise Display: Year-Round Operation” category, recognizing excellence in the design and visual merchandising of the Main Plaza Store at Xcaret Park. Inspired by a pre-Hispanic pyramid, this 1,800-square-meter space celebrates Mexican traditions and craftsmanship in a cohesive manner, integrating cultural storytelling and the visitor experience into a year-round operation. In addition to these awards, Grupo Xcaret was recognized as an international finalist for its “Xostenibility” model—a comprehensive vision built upon three pillars: “PLANET” (natural, animal, and environmental conservation), “PEOPLE” (social development), and “PROSPERITY” (economic viability rooted in shared well-being). This model serves as a cornerstone for the tourism of both today and the future.
“Receiving these accolades at home, in the presence of the industry’s most important leaders, reaffirms that Mexico can inspire the world through its culture, creativity, and capacity for innovation. At Grupo Xcaret, we believe in creating purposeful experiences capable of stirring emotions, preserving our roots, and positively transforming both people and our environment,” stated Architect Miguel Quintana Pali, President and CEO of Grupo Xcaret.
Over the course of three days, international executives and decision-makers toured the Xcaret, Xplor, and Xenses parks to get a behind-the-scenes look at operations. These visits showcased the innovation, safety, maintenance, and guest service processes that have made Grupo Xcaret one of the industry’s most admired operational models worldwide.
Hosting IAAPA Honors 2026 in the Riviera Maya also recognizes Mexico’s growth as a world-class tourism powerhouse and positions Grupo Xcaret as a company capable of exporting a unique vision of entertainment—one where culture, sustainability, and excitement coexist within a single experience.
With these honors, Grupo Xcaret not only strengthens its international presence but also reaffirms a vision that has defined its history for over three decades: demonstrating that Mexican tourism is recognized at the highest global level without losing its essence, identity, or purpose—”Making the planet happier by sharing our great love for Mexico.”
