Toni Chaves Re-elected President of Riviera Maya Hotel Association for Third Term

The Riviera Maya Hotel Association (AHRM) has unanimously re-elected Toni Chaves as its president. This decision was made in a bid to strengthen the unity of the hotel sector in light of the challenges facing tourism in the Mexican Caribbean.

The AHRM is one of the largest and most significant hotel associations in Mexico, representing more than 121 hotels and 36,000 rooms. The members, in an extraordinary general assembly, elected Chaves, a businessman of Spanish origin, for his third consecutive term. He will lead the association for the 2024-2026 term.

During his previous terms as president of the AHRM, Chaves has made significant strides. Notably, he initiated 'The Seas We Love' project, formed alliances with BBVA and the European Union for the use and management of sargassum, and collaborated with other business organizations to improve security, promotion, and sustainability.

In his third term, Chaves has committed to promoting better conditions for tourism, the main driver of the region's economy. He emphasized his intention to address unresolved issues with authorities, such as the approval of electronic visas to boost Brazilian tourism and regulatory improvements to facilitate the entry of Colombian visitors and those from other countries.

Chaves also plans to attend an upcoming meeting coordinated by the state secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto, with the new head of the federal Tourism Secretariat, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora. During this meeting, he will discuss the needs of the hotel and tourism sector in the current tourism climate.

At the start of the year, Chaves identified five key issues that need to be addressed for a successful year in tourism. These include security, tourism promotion, holiday rentals, sargassum management, and repair of the federal highway.