Cancún, Mexico — The city of Cancún hosted the World Travel Awards Gala for Latin America 2025 for the first time, an event that coincided with World Tourism Day and brought together national authorities, diplomats, and members of the tourism industry. Quintana Roo shone brightly, earning at least 25 awards in various categories. The ceremony was led by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and the president and founder of the awards, Graham Cooke.
The Best in Tourism is Recognized
The awards, known as the "Oscars of tourism," recognize excellence in the sector. Among the winners were Hilton Cancún Mar Caribe, Dreams Vista Cancún, ATELIER Playa Mujeres, Hyatt Ziva Cancún, and Marriott Cancún. Tour agencies and operators such as BT WhatToDoInCancun.com, Destination Mexico, Xcaret, and Ekinox Tours also received awards. In the attractions category, the Puerto Morelos Cenote Route, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, and Cancun International Airport were also recognized.
Leading Destinations in the Region
Cancún earned multiple accolades, including being named the Leading Destination in Mexico, the Leading Destination in Central America, and for meetings and conferences. Tulum was named the Most Romantic Destination; Isla Mujeres, the Leading Island Destination; and Playa del Carmen, the Leading Urban Getaway Destination. Other award-winning destinations were Cozumel, Holbox, and Puerto Morelos, all of which received awards that consolidate Quintana Roo as a regional tourism powerhouse.
Mara Lezama Receives International Distinction
During the gala, Graham Cooke presented Mara Lezama Espinosa with the Outstanding Contribution to the Travel and Tourism Industry award for her leadership in boosting the sector and promoting a tourism model with a social and inclusive focus. The governor highlighted that Quintana Roo has received 83 awards in different editions of the World Travel Awards, a reflection of the state's hospitality, quality of service, and natural beauty.
Catwalk with Mayan Identity
As part of the event, a catwalk show featured garments created by embroiderers from Mayan communities such as Xpichil, Tulum, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto. The artisans participated with their creations in an exhibition that fused tradition and fashion. Mara Lezama emphasized that this ancient artisanal work is passed down from generation to generation and represents the cultural soul of the state.
Tourism with Social Impact
The governor emphasized that projects like Maya Ka'an reflect the diversification of tourism in the state, with authentic experiences in Mayan communities that promote direct development for their residents. She stated that, thanks to the tourism model promoted by her administration and supported by the federal government, Quintana Roo is now the state in the south-southeast with the lowest proportion of people living in poverty.
Institutional and Diplomatic Support
The ceremony was attended by the federal government's Undersecretary of Tourism, Nathalie Desplas Puel, as well as diplomats from Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama. Among the authorities present were the mayors of Benito Juárez, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum, as well as legislators, magistrates, and representatives of the tourism sector.
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