Hilton’s Cancún Resort Opens Bee Sanctuary

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Hilton Mar Caribe hotel in Cancún has established a "hotel" for native stingless bees, known as meliponas, as part of its sustainability initiatives. The project aims to strengthen environmental education among visitors to the destination.

"Today we know that caring for nature is fundamentally important for everyone, and the melipona bee is part of the region and a fundamental part of the entire ecosystem. Therefore, the project consists of caring for the bee, maintaining it here; it is a bee hotel within a hotel for humans," said Maricarmen Gutiérrez, Director of Sales for Hilton Cancún Mar Caribe, during a press conference.

The project was promoted two months ago by the lodging center's sustainability management department to care for and maintain hives that are also producing honey. The idea is that this honey can subsequently be used both for guests to learn about the project and participate as part of a more educational activity, and for them to learn how the bees work and to use the honey to create different products.

For now, they are in the process of training all involved employees so they know everything about the bees, how to maintain them, care for them, and so that this project continues to grow to promote and care for the ecosystem.

"Everything was coordinated by our sustainability manager, Irasema; she, together with different authorities; people came to train us on two or three occasions, precisely so that all the team members are trained and educated about this activity," pointed out Maricarmen Gutiérrez.

Once they conclude this internal process, they will begin to involve tourists. For the moment, they have begun to integrate inspection visits with some clients from the group segment, and it will soon be 100 percent with guests.

Regarding the possibility that other hotels of the same brand in the destination might replicate the program, the executive said it will depend on each property; for the moment, it is only being carried out at the Mar Caribe location.

Once tourists can integrate into the activity, she expressed confidence that it will become a unique and highly educational experience, strengthening the care of ecosystems, and they will also be able to enjoy one of the most authentic products of the region.