Mayakoba Golf Classic Highlights Sustainable Tourism in Mexico's Riviera Maya

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Daly, Charles Howell III and Boo Weekly are just a few of the names that will be participating in this year's Mayakoba Golf Classic, being held at El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The Classic, which made history in 2007 by becoming the first PGA Tour event held outside of the United States, began Wednesday, February 23 with the Pro-Am competition.  The first round of the tournament will start Thursday morning with the final round taking place Sunday, February 27.  All four rounds of the tournament will be broadcast on the Golf Channel.

The Mayakoba Golf Classic highlights a growing trend in the Riviera Maya region to move closer to self sustainability, while focusing on the eco-tourism of the area.  Nestled on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya offers tourist numerous eco-tourism options including a mile long stretch of powdery, white sandy beaches with turquoise waters, snorkeling and diving at a pristine coral reef, which is the second largest in the world, and a world class golf course in El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba.  The area also offers archeological day trips including Chichen Itza, famous for the 91-step pyramid and Tulum, a walled Mayan port city perched above scenic beaches on the Caribbean coast.

"Mexico is committed to providing tourist with valuable eco-tourism options when visiting our country," said Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, chief operating officer, Mexico Tourism Board. "Mayakoba has done an exceptional job in demonstrating our efforts to be more eco-friendly, while striving for self sustainability."

Mayakoba is home to four luxurious resorts, two of which are AAA Five-Diamond Award winners, including Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and The Viceroy Mayakoba (opening next year). Each property is doing its part to contribute to the area's sustainability as well, by making a conscious effort to maintain and protect the area's fragile eco-system.  The hotel properties in Mayakoba feature locally authentic architecture and are all built below the tree-line in an effort to integrate the resort properties with as little disruption to the local environment as possible.

Additionally, to harmonize with its distinctive surroundings, the Fairmont Mayakoba employs a full-time ecologist, and throughout the property, indigenous flora have been carefully tagged, transplanted and grafted in special beds, employing a traditional Mayan technique known as socoleo.  Even the property's restaurants promote sustainability practices with their use of the chef's garden, which grows a wide range of fruits and vegetables from pineapples to papaya and tomatoes to carrots.    

For more information on eco-tourism opportunities in Mexico and Mayakoba, please visit www.visitmexico.com.

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB functions as an executive agency of Mexico's Tourism Secretariat, with autonomous management and the broad participation of the private sector. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

FOR NORTH AMERICAN PRESS ONLY: For information or still or video images, contact our North American press room at 1-866-666-6010 or northamericanpress@visitmexico.com or visit our press website at www.visitmexicopress.com.

SOURCE Mexico Tourism Board