CANCUN, MEXICO—In celebration of World Tourism Day 2025 late last month, The Palace Company has unveiled a powerful new video campaign capturing the ecosystems that thrive in and around its resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya: mangroves, dunes, jungles, crocodiles, sea turtles, and hundreds of species that coexist in harmony with tourism.
The message is clear: awareness is not enough—travelers and tourism partners must take action. Guests and the general public are invited to support the conservation of these unique habitats through a direct donation to Palace Foundation. “Every night a guest sleeps at one of our properties is made possible by the ecosystems that sustain us. Now more than ever, we invite travelers to give back to the planet that makes tourism possible,” said Anuar Chapur, Chief Product and Technology Officer and President of Palace Foundation.
Earth Inclusive: A Holistic Vision for Responsible Travel
Earth Inclusive is a comprehensive sustainability strategy encompassing 13 workstreams, from energy efficiency, biodiversity, and circular economy to low-carbon tourism, water stewardship, regulatory compliance, and community engagement. All projects involve team members, guests, suppliers, authorities, and social allies—fostering a replicable model of responsible tourism.
At the heart of this strategy is the Moon Palace Private Reserve, a 315-hectare protected natural area with over 70 percent mangrove cover, located within the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. This one-of-a-kind ecological reserve within a hotel development stores 62,490 tons of carbon and mitigates 234,723 tons of CO₂ annually—the equivalent of the emissions from 63,000 people.
The Palace Company also monitors 278 wildlife species—reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals—10 of which are endangered. Through scientific partnerships, veterinary-supported relocations, camera traps, and protective signage, the company preserves the delicate balance between nature and hospitality.
Since 2005, the company has also led a robust Sea Turtle Conservation Program through Fundación Palace, protecting 26,782 nests, 3 million eggs, and releasing over 2.2 million hatchlings. This initiative spans the shores of its key properties, including Moon Palace, Le Blanc, Sun Palace, and Beach Palace.
Circular Economy & Waste Reduction
Sustainability efforts extend to waste and resource management. A composting facility processes organic waste from seven resorts, preventing 587 tons of CO₂ emissions annually—the equivalent of planting 26,000 trees. Meanwhile, a biodiesel plant transforms used cooking oil into clean energy, producing 16,327 liters per year and avoiding an additional 32.3 tons of CO₂.
Annual waste management achievements include:
- 1,783 tons of compostable organic waste processed;
- 1,546 tons of recyclables delivered;
- 32.29 tons of hazardous waste properly handled; and
- 18,120 liters of used oil treated.
Smart Water Management & 100 Percent Clean Energy
Key water actions include reusing 80 percent of treated water for irrigation, employing reverse osmosis, chillers, and digital meters to reduce consumption, and sourcing water from CONAGUA-authorized wells. On the energy side, several Palace resorts—Le Blanc Cancun, Beach Palace, Sun Palace, Cozumel Palace, and Playacar Palace—are powered exclusively by the “Dos Arbolitos” wind farm in Oaxaca, and complemented by solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, and building management systems.
Sustainability in Every Guest Touchpoint
Sustainability also shapes the guest experience—from refillable Bvlgari and Chi bath amenities to menus that feature more than 1,500 kg of organic microgreens, edible flowers, and tubers grown in on-site gardens and aeroponic systems, which save up to 980 liters of water per week. Properties offer vegetarian and low-impact dining, eliminate unnecessary plastics, and have implemented digital check-in to reduce paper waste—proving that true luxury can live in harmony with environmental consciousness.
The Palace Company is also developing a tool to calculate the carbon footprint of individual guests, groups, and events, encouraging conscious travel and impact compensation.
Global Certifications & Climate Commitments
The Palace Company has signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, aiming to reach net-zero emissions before 2050. The group also maintains a financing partnership to reduce water consumption and uphold international certifications. These efforts earned it the HSBC Sustainable Innovation Award in 2022 and finalist recognition in 2023 and 2024.
Its properties are advancing in certifications:
- Blue Flag (in process for Le Blanc Cancun);
- Hotel Sustainability Basics 2025 (awarded to Sun Palace, in progress for Playacar Palace); and
- EarthCheck Silver (Moon Palace Nizuc, Sunrise, The Grand, Le Blanc Cancun, and Le Blanc Los Cabos – renewed for a second consecutive year).
Redefining Luxury with Purpose
With this vision, The Palace Company reaffirms that luxury is not just measured in stars or amenities, but in the legacy we leave behind.
“This World Tourism Day was an invitation to rethink our choices as travelers and as an industry. Protecting the planet isn’t a trend—it’s the only way we’ll keep traveling,” said Chapur.
Beyond the Earth Inclusive strategy, sustainability at The Palace Company is a cross-functional effort. Fundación Palace empowers the communities where the group operates, while the Social Responsibility area promotes the well-being and development of its people. For The Palace Company, sustainability is not just a value—it’s a way of doing business with purpose, innovation, and responsibility.
