Truly excited over this event, enhanced by the approaching birth of his next son, Mariano Trujillo (player for Cancun’s home team since January), confessed to his happiness surrounding this moment in his life, claiming to be blessed with time to enjoy his family in beautiful surroundings such as Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Trujillo evidently took advantage of these surroundings, by using some of his spare time to get in contact with nature.

During his visit to Xel-Ha, in which Trujillo snorkelled and swam in the Inlet, the footballer proved that besides being a remarkable athlete, he is a caring father and a exemplary human being.

Mariano Trujillo, who was playing for Major League Soccer’s Chivas in the USA, returned to Mexico to proudly wear the uniform of Atlante’s Iron Steeds. This former player for the teams of Morelia and Pumas, has been summoned for a 6 month contract with Cancun’s local team.

Mariano Trujillo is considered to be a reinforcement of great importance for the team, especially in the midfield, since after the departures of two previous elements of Atlante’s line-up, the team’s coach has been betting on the newcomer’s ability to improve Atlante’s season performance.

Xel-Ha is the only company in the whole of Quintana Roo to be awarded this acknowledgement successively since 2004, and its continuity has allowed other firms to value human resources as the most important asset of an organisation, as well as prove that this perspective for growth is necessary to give strength to Cancun and the Riviera Maya as a tourist destination.

During his speech, Jorge Ferrari emphasised that the increasing participation of firms improving their work environments has made the competition more difficult by the year, which has made this acknowledgement a significant achievement. In this year’s edition, 348 firms all over the country signed up, while the previous year had seen only 280 applications.

This acknowledgement testifies to Xel-Ha’s continuity to improve on three fundamental aspects: relationships between employees and managers, between the employees and their job or company, as well as between the employees themselves. Xel-Ha is a leading sustainable tourism firm in Mexico, in which natural resources are highly valued, although its key to success lies in having confidence as a common practice in relationships between the company and its collaborators.

To achieve this certification, Xel-Ha Natural Wonder has adapted its operation standards to the Great Place to Work® Institute model, which prioritises bonding in human resources on five important levels: credibility, respect, justice, pride and companionship.

Great Place to Work® Institute works with a specific system that has proved its effectiveness since 1991, periodically surveying the opinions of Xel-Ha collaborators to gauge the amount of confidence they have in the people they work for, how much pride they take in what they do, and if they enjoy working with their companions. This has resulted in an excellent work environment for Xel-Ha, a space where confidence and pride in one’s work is constantly transmitted to our visitors.

During this event, the Mexican Institute of Standards and Certification made its own acknowledgement to Mexico’s Great Place to Work® Institute, for the quality of its work methods that according to careful scrutiny, meet standards that guarantee trustworthy results, and bequeath confidence to the numerous firms that adhere to the model, proved in now over 29 countries.

The acknowledgement was given to David Iturbe Vargas, Xel-Ha’s PR manager, during the ceremony that took place in the Hacienda de los Morales, in Mexico City.

After a memorable performance with his national team of Senegal, which placed second at the African Nation’s Cup, Alain Nkong returned to Cancun and visited Xel-Há along with his wife and daughter, Mireille and Sofia, respectively. They were seen enjoying nature, swimming and snorkelling in the river and inlet, all three showing off remarkable physical fitness.

Nkong will always be remembered by Cancun fans as being the player to score the first goal for Atlante, in the “Andres Quintana Roo” Stadium when the team was first transferred to Quintana Roo State. He later went on to win the Mexican league championship with his team in 2007.

Nkong has played in international leagues such as Spain’s First Division and Major League Soccer in the U.S. and Canada. As a part of his career projections, Nkong has decided to say his goodbyes to Cancun’s Atlante and begin a life in France, from where, as well as from the U.K., he has received several contract proposals.

Like all sports celebrities when visiting Xel-Ha, Nkong took full advantage of his time to relax and harmonise with nature before planting his new son in the Chacah Garden. He also confessed to feeling in awe in this turquoise Inlet and the constant carnival of multicoloured fish that it holds.

Ronald Hood addressed a letter to Visitor Attention manager, Miriam Vial, in which he expressed his enthusiasm upon visiting this unique attraction of the Riviera Maya as part of his Caribbean tour. “We had a great cruise and the highlight was the stop at your park,” said the Disney executive, who also gave a detailed an explanation of the services offered here.

“The guest service was outstanding.  Every employee that we came into contact with was phenomenal.  They all had a smile and were ready to help.   Not sure what the secret is. They all seemed happy to be there and happy to help the guests.” This was expressed by Hood when writing of the serviceable attitude he found amongst Xel-Ha’s personnel.

In another part of the account, Ronald Hood remarked about the way Xel-Ha’s staff took care of problems: “I was at the ticketing area waiting for you when I first arrived.  A woman with her son was having a ticket problem.  She was very upset.  You had a person come out of the booth and make contact with them.  They had a conversation and the woman went away very happy.  I think that the employee was very empowered and able to assist.  This was very impressive.”

In mentioning the attractions at Xel-Ha, the Disney executive emphasised: “We did the snorkel down the river and it was very good.  The staff was great all along the route.  Lifeguards and staff at the mask issue point were great, very friendly, professional and engaging.”

Hood also referred to the general image of Xel-Ha, saying: “The park was very clean.  I looked around and really could not find any cleanliness issues.  This is very rare for a water park, especially in the changing areas.  They were always cleaned and maintained. I saw the new water fountains going in.  They looked great. Your food and beverage operation was also very impressive. We ate at the local food sit down restaurant and the service as well as food was very good.”

He also praised the managing of aquatic gear: “Lifejackets were plentiful and very clean.  I was impressed by how many and how they are handled.  Very well done.  This is a big issue for water parks and it seems you have handled it well. I was a big fan of the fact that you charge a very nominal fee for the snorkels.  This keeps you from having to clean them and lowers your costs for operation.  We are looking at this change for our own shark reef exhibit here.” 

Today, the service and organisation philosophy developed by Disney is a mandatory reference in the world of international tourism, hence the importance of Ronald Hood’s comments on Xel-Ha. “Typhoon Lagoon” is a water-park in a tropical setting located on Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It covers almost 55 acres and was built around an enormous wave pool that covers two-and-a-half acres in itself and employs 2,746,790 gallons of water.

This award has a special relevance to Xel-Ha, being the only enterprise in all the state of Quintana Roo to receive this award every year since 2002, and which further commits the company to follow through with its projects, consolidating the achievements attained until this day. In all Mexico, only eight companies have received this merit during seven consecutive years.

During the ceremony, Jacqueline Butcher Rivas, President of the CEMEFI’s Directive Board, emphasized that the movement for social responsibility in enterprises has gradually become increasingly important in Mexico and Latin America, which plainly shows the commitment of companies to contribute to development, creating infrastructure vital in promoting social well-being.

As a Socially Responsible Enterprise, Xel-Ha firmly embraces its conviction to aid in the construction of schooling facilities, sport centres, recreational parks and gardens. As part of this effort, it has constantly contributed with financial, material, and human resources to this important social labour, particularly in the community of Chemuyil, as of November 1997. Social Responsibility efforts include health education programs, caring for the environment, and cultural events.

This labour has been enormously enriched by enthusiastic participation of the communities, whose contribution have allowed Xel-Ha to learn from the people, regarding the proper perspective with which social problems can be confronted and solved. This work has been going on for the last ten years within the community, eventually allowing Chemuyil to be acknowledged as “Model Community of the Riviera Maya” in 2007.

Also remarkable is the award given to Xel-Ha, in 2005, as an acknowledgement of the Best Practices of Enterprises for Social Responsibility, for helping build bonds with the community in the “Chemuyil City Program” and again in 2007 for the “Meliponiculture” practice.

 The Monterrey-born celebrity visited the Chacah Garden, and toegether with her niece Juliana Smaldoni, planted the seedling in the same space as many other famous singer such as Paulina Rubio, José José, and Enrique Guzman, to name a few, had made their mark before. “Plant a tree, have a child, write a book…one out of three isn’t that bad. A chacah is life, nature is life, let’s sow life!” was written by Mimi when asked to commorate the special moment.

Mimi assured Xel-Ha is a uniqeu place of unsurpassable beauty, a mandatory visit for anyone visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya. During her stay, she enjoyed swimming in the inlet and watching fish enormously.

She is currently preparing her third solo musical production, entitled “Vuelve” after her first two albums: “Mimi” (1991), and “En un momento de soledad” (1993).

According to Sony Entertainment Television, this year’s Latin American Idol jury will include Gustavo Sanchez, Mimi and Jon Secada, which also features Mexico as one of the main hosts in tracking the future idol of Latin music.

Mimi is one of three female talents that thrilled Mexican audiences in 1985 as Flans, a three piece featuring Ilse, Ivonne, and Mimi that conquered hearts in youths all over Latin America and Spain and set a whole new trend in dressing and behaviour at the time.

After Flans breakup, Mimi has alternated her career between acting and hosting TV shows. In theatre, she has acted in “Don Juan Tenorio”, has participated in the soap opera “Amor de Nadie” on television, has hosted TV Azteca’s “Rola la Rola”, and “Cada Mañana”, as well forming part of “La Academia 3″’s jury.

After participating in the popular “History in Cancun” series of matches, in which he fell to the nigerian Samuel Peters during the sixth round, Oleg Maskaev decided he would be better off visiting some of Quintana Roo’s tourist attractions, accompanied by his wife and three daughters.

 Though he preferred not to comment on his future plans, Maskaev showed content upon sharing this visit with his loved ones. “Planting a tree means one has not lived one’s life in vain, Godbless,” wrote Maskaev, once champion of the World Boxing Council, in the gallery of celebrities who have left their thoughts in this beautiful haven of nature.

The Chacah Garden is a space within Xel-Ha dedicated to celebrities in sports, television, movies, music, culture, art, etc. who profess their commitment to the ecosystem by planting this singular indigenous tree specie.

At Xel-Ha Natural Wonder, Oleg Maskaev and his family enjoyed swimming in the Inlet, admired the many toucans, macaws and parrot found within the park, and had a peaceful meal in the main restaurant.

Xel-Ha consists in a system of inlets and small coves, lagoons, cenotes, and caves that are fed by the warm waters of the Caribbean, while blending with the cool freshwater from underground rivers –making this extraordinary location the most beautiful Natural Aquarium in the world.

This unique scenario, with the turquoise blue of the Mexican Caribbean as its backdrop, proposes excellent options to celebrate those special moments in one’s life.

The idea of “Xel-Ha Prenuptial Celebration” was conceived as a day of relaxation and fun, with all the magic of nature, for everyone to celebrate the bond of marriage a day before the actual service. To this purpose, the services offered by Xel-Ha include a wedding planner, specially ornamented tables for breakfast and dinner, unlimited food and beverage (international à la carte, Mexican buffet, international buffet), open bar on all national drinks, snack, ice-cream parlor, and deserts.

It also provides a decorative ribbon for the bride and groom, commemorative wear for the couple and their guests, Xpa massage services for the couple, photograph of the bride and groom and family, an anniversary visit gift and a certificate for the Xel-Ha Prenuptial Celebration.

Besides this, the Xel-Ha Mayan Ceremony is an exclusive package for a civilian wedding or the renewal of vows in the most romantic scenery in the Caribbean. The Mayan Ceremony provides a judge certified to perform marriage, a wedding planner, a guest reception area, an exclusive ceremonial area, seating for the bride and groom and their guests, a photograph shoot area, a dining area (with special tables and chairs for the bride and groom), silverware, dishware, glassware and tablecloth.

The ceremonial banquet includes a welcome cocktail, a sunset or moonlight dinner, sparkling wine toast, wedding cake, Xel-Ha gifts, Xpa massage services for the couple, family and wedding pictures, as well as the Xel-Ha Mayan Ceremony Certificate.

During his stay at Xel-Ha, Enrique Guzman planted a Chacah seedling, at the garden where more than 80 celebrities from sports, arts and culture have contributed to the biological wealth of the park while engraving transcendent messages for the care and conservation of our planet.

“Tree: I planted you in sunlight so you may grow; may you give my children shade. We are in peace.” –was written as a commemoration of that moment, by the interpreter of “La Plaga”, single that rocketed him to fame at a very young age.

Enrique Guzman, along with his family, went on to enjoy Xel-Ha and remarked how fascinated he was with the colours of the inlet, and grateful for the opportunity to experience such a Natural Wonder. “I have written a book, have had several children, and now, at last, I have planted a tree,” he said, a satisfied reference to Jose Marti’s famous quote. As he trickled the last drops of water onto the tree, calling it “the last of his children”, Enrique Guzman promised to return to Xel-Ha and drop in to say hello.

Guzman commented that he considers himself to be an extraordinarily fortunate person and remarked “my happiness tank is filled to the top”, referring to the sentiment of confidence he feels at this time of his life. He mentioned he never thought he would be in love with his wife as much as he is now, and described her in the following way: “she’s my boss, my friend, and my lover.”

He is well known for being accessible to fans, and happily gave autographs to any admirers who asked, and in joking, made more than a few blush with his picaresque sense of humour.

During the work session in which Xel-Ha’s management philosophy was revealed, it was clear that scientific investigation and publication is instrumental for the success of sustainable tourism projects, to the point of risking their very viability if these facets are overlooked.

Throughout his explanation, Ricardo Saenz, Xel-Ha’s Sustainable Development manager, showed how the factors that guarantee Xel-Ha’s sustainable exploitation have been put through scientific scrutiny. Xel-Ha –a natural reserve constituted by inlets, lagoons, cenotes and caves spread about an 84 acre reserve, contains valuable biodiversity unique to this area because of its idiosyncratic sea and freshwater combination, and therefore, must be considered a un exceptional natural resource. He mentioned that, within this marvellous environment, Promotora Xel-Ha is constantly committed to fulfilling all applicable ecological regulations, preventing and reducing pollution, and continuously improving the efficiency of its ecological programs.

Ricardo Saenz explained how water is this tourist attraction’s most important natural resource, and therefore, guaranteeing its preservation is a priority to the organisation. Also, he reported that since 2003, Xel-Ha has encouraged the investigation of the network of underground rivers found in the Riviera Maya, particularly those within its territory: a project undertaken by the Centre for Scientific Investigation of Yucatan, in cooperation with the UNAM itself.

He established that learning the behaviour of underground waterways in the Peninsula represents an important support tool not only for the region’s tourist industry, but for authorities at all government levels, since it will allow a better planning of infrastructural work and services for regional development, with a better knowledge of the vulnerability of the hydrological resources within the area. These studies are in their final phase and will be published shortly, given their importance, Saenz mentioned.