The Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum (LVTAF), held March 30 to April 2, 2025 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, drew thousands of travel professionals ready to reconnect, learn and explore new opportunities. Among the standout participants, the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board made a dynamic impression, spotlighting transformative developments across its 12 destinations while reaffirming its commitment to fostering strong ties with the U.S. travel trade community.?
Led by Andr¨¦s Mart¨ªnez, CEO of the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board, alongside Director of Marketing & Communications Danae Makrygiannis and PTG Consulting¡¯s Director of Trade & Product Sam Combs, the Tourism Board¡¯s delegation brought both energy and insight to this premier B2B leisure travel agency event, which connects travel sellers from North America with a global array of vacation experiences, business resources and more. Their participation was guided by a clear mission to re-engage with U.S. travel advisors, introduce key infrastructure updates including the newly operational Tulum International Airport and Mayan Train, and spotlight the evolving tourism landscape across the Mexican Caribbean¡¯s 12 vibrant destinations.?
The Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board hosts the Ultimate Breakfast Boardroom meeting for attendees of the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum. (Photo Credit: Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board)
The Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board kicked off the week hosting an Ultimate Boardroom Breakfast, a curated event for 30 top-performing travel advisors. The intimate setting provided an ideal platform to exchange ideas and highlight regional developments. Mart¨ªnez also took the stage in two marquee educational sessions: the panel discussion ¡°Growth Strategies to Maximize Your Destination Partnerships¡± and the global-themed presentation ¡°Around the World ¨C Explore a World of Travel & Global Experiences.¡± These sessions positioned the Mexican Caribbean not only as a sought-after destination, but also as a proactive partner in global tourism growth.?
Andres Martinez speaks during the ¡°Growth Strategies to Maximize Your Destination Partnerships¡± hosted by Stacey Cabell, owner of Starstuff Travel, LLC (Photo Credit: Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board)
In addition to thought leadership, the Tourism Board also maintained a strong presence on the tradeshow floor on Tuesday and Wednesday, engaging directly with advisors and industry peers. These interactions underscored the Tourism Board's commitment to equipping advisors with the latest tools, knowledge and destination insights. With a clear focus on partnership and innovation, the Mexican Caribbean is setting a high bar for tourism development and trade collaboration in 2025 and beyond.?
The Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board meets with hundreds of advisors on the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum Exhibit Floor (Photo Credit: Travel Show Marketing Group)
¡°We were excited to reconnect with our partners and share the momentum unfolding across our destinations,¡± said Mart¨ªnez. ¡°With new infrastructure and expanding access, there¡¯s never been a better time to experience the new era of the Mexican Caribbean.¡±
And indeed, the updates are substantial. The Tulum International Airport (TQO), officially known as the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, is now welcoming direct flights from major U.S. cities, making it easier than ever for travelers to access Riviera Maya, Tulum and Bacalar. Travelers can now reach these southern destinations up to two hours faster compared to flying into Cancun, significantly reducing ground transfer times. Meanwhile, the Mayan Train project, now operational in parts of the region, is enhancing ground mobility and promoting eco-tourism by linking key cultural and natural attractions across the Yucat¨¢n Peninsula.?
These infrastructure advances are unlocking new potential across the Mexican Caribbean, which comprises twelve unique destinations: Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, Costa Mujeres, Cancun, Riviera Maya (Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Tulum); Isla Cozumel, Maya Ka'an and Grand Costa Maya (Mahahual, Bacalar and Chetumal ¨C a Magical Neighborhood). Each offers a distinct blend of beach, jungle, culture and cuisine, supporting everything from luxury retreats and eco-adventures to family travel and heritage tourism.
By combining trade show engagement with timely updates and destination insights, the tourism board¡¯s presence at LVTAF underscored the value of strong trade partnerships and the richness of experiences awaiting travelers across the Mexican Caribbean.
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