Grupo Presidente promotes important sustainability projects in the Yucatán Peninsula and strengthens its commitment to combating the commercial exploitation of children and adolescents in the tourism industry.
Mexico City, June 5, 2025. In line with its sustainable vision, Grupo Presidente reaffirms its commitment to environmental care by developing and implementing various initiatives that reflect its social responsibility and dedication to preserving the planet. Among these initiatives, carbon footprint offsetting stands out, a measure that seeks to promote more sustainable and conscious practices.
In partnership with XiCO2e and the Noh-Bec and Naranjal Poniente Forest Ejidos, Grupo Presidente offers its guests the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint during their stay at the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa. Through this initiative, visitors will be able to purchase Carbon Credits and learn about the work of more than 350 ejidatarios (landowners), who are those with rights to the ejidos and who have worked for years to conserve and certify their forests. Thanks to these efforts, the annual removal of 175,000 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere is certified under the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Forest Protocol for Mexico, in permanent forest areas certified as FSC certified for good forest management. As part of this commitment, Grupo Presidente, in conjunction with the FORLIANCE/Ala-BoOl forest alliance, offers its guests an immersive experience that allows them to learn about the impact of Improved Forest Management on the conservation and regeneration of the Mayan rainforest.
This way, guests of the Hotel Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa will have the opportunity to visit the Quintana Roo rainforest, observing firsthand the positive impact of these programs on biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. This represents a step forward in the integration of tourism with tangible climate action, reinforcing the role of Grupo Presidente and XiCO2e as a benchmark in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
On the other hand, to conserve biodiversity in the Yucatán Peninsula, the “Citizen Science for Biodiversity Conservation in Tourist Destinations” project was created. This initiative seeks to train hotel employees to learn about the region’s natural wealth and share that knowledge with visiting tourists. This initiative, which actively participates in environmental conservation and protects the ecosystems that make the destinations of the Mexican Caribbean unique, promotes this project.
This project is promoted by Grupo Presidente, together with La Vaca Independiente and the Somos Naturalistas initiative, part of Transformación, Arte y Educación A.C., and is based on the use of the iNaturalist app, a digital tool that allows for the identification and recording of plant and animal species. Both tourists and employees will use this platform to document the species they encounter during their stay, generating valuable information about local biodiversity.
Each entry made by visitors and employees will feed into an open database, which will help us better understand the region’s nature and design strategies for its protection. Thanks to this collaboration, it will be possible to protect key species while promoting more conscious, engaged, and responsible tourism.
This project seeks to strengthen the connection between people and nature by sharing information about local species and promoting respectful and environmentally protective tourism. Its benefits include offering tourists a more enriching and participatory experience, collecting important data to protect the ecosystem, promoting responsible tourism that demonstrates a commitment to conservation and contributes to the sustainable development goals, and training staff to identify species and improve visitor service.
This project aims to make tourism not only a source of income but also a tool to protect the natural and cultural wealth of the Yucatán Peninsula. By involving hotels, tourists, and local communities, a tourism model can be built that conserves biodiversity and offers unique and responsible experiences.
Likewise, Grupo Presidente has always recognized the importance of safeguarding the rights of children and adolescents, implementing measures to prevent their commercial sexual exploitation, while also adopting firm measures to detect, report, and prevent these crimes, working in collaboration with specialized organizations.
The company promotes awareness of this issue among all its employees and has confidential reporting channels, as well as protection and assistance for potential victims through the intervention of the corresponding authorities. It is committed to transparency and accountability.
Years ago, Grupo Presidente and ECPAT Mexico signed a collaboration agreement to protect children and adolescents from commercial sexual exploitation, which includes criminal activities such as the use of children and adolescents in pornography, prostitution, and sex trafficking.
To date, more than 600 employees have been trained to prevent, identify, and respond to any signs of child exploitation. This training will be extended to all company employees by 2025, as the tourism industry plays a key role in preventing these crimes.
“Our certification is not just a distinction, but an active commitment: we train all our employees to identify warning signs, establish action protocols, and form long-term partnerships with key stakeholders and institutions for the protection of minors.” Lourdes Prieto, director of institutional relations and sustainability at Grupo Presidente, commented.
Mega-sporting events, such as the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will host, represent a great opportunity for economic, tourism, and cultural development. However, they can also open the door to criminal activity if appropriate measures are not taken. Therefore, at Grupo Presidente, we assume our responsibility and constantly work to ensure our hotels are safe spaces, free from any form of exploitation, ensuring that tourism is a driving force of well-being for all.
About Grupo Presidente
Grupo Presidente is a Mexican company dedicated to the operation and management of hotels, restaurants, and senior residences. In the hotel industry, through InterContinental Hotels Group, it operates the following brands: Presidente InterContinental®, Holiday Inn®, Staybridge Suites®, Kimpton Aluna Tulum, and Candlewood Suites Guadalajara Galerías.
Press release issued by Grupo Presidente
