Set along the turquoise shores of Cancun at the recently opened AVA Resort, the 12th annual Romance Travel Forum took place June 4-7, welcoming more than 315 leading romance travel advisors and suppliers from across North America for four days of immersive networking, education and strategic brand engagement. As the event’s Official Destination Partner, the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board delivered a powerful in-destination experience that reinforced the region’s standing as a premier locale for weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways while spotlighting recent infrastructure improvements that are making travel throughout the area more accessible than ever.
With more than 315 advisors and suppliers attending, the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board welcomed everyone to the region as the Official Destination Sponsor. (Photo Credit: Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board)
The Mexican Caribbean delegation was led by Andrés Martínez, CEO of the Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board, along with Danae Makrygiannis, Director of Marketing & Communications; Sam Combs, PTG Consulting Director of Trade & Product; and Elina Pasos, Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board Weddings & Romance Manager. During the forum’s Welcome Session, Martínez highlighted the opening of the Tulum International Airport (TQO) and the ongoing rollout of the Mayan Train, calling both game changers for improving access across the region’s 12 destinations. Together, these developments have improved traveler accessibility for exploring multiple locations in one trip, a key advantage for wedding and honeymoon planning. The progress reflects the focus of the tourism board’s “New Era” campaign, which speaks to what today’s travelers are seeking, including innovative culinary offerings, music festivals, traditional culture and seamless multi-destination experiences.
“The Mexican Caribbean continues to be one of the world’s most desired destinations for weddings and honeymoons,” said Martínez, emphasizing both its enduring appeal and commitment to the travel trade. “We want advisors to feel confident recommending our destination not only for its beauty and variety, but because they know it delivers an exceptional experience every time.” Building on that message, he introduced the upcoming Ambassador and Training Program, set to launch later this year, which will offer travel advisors access to curated content, educational videos and insider resources designed to deepen their knowledge and boost their confidence when selling the region. The initiative will support efficient planning and stronger results in the romance travel space, reinforcing the Mexican Caribbean’s role as a trusted partner to the advisor community.
Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board representatives Sam Combs and Elina Pasos met with over 40 key advisors focused on Wedding and Romance travel. (Photo Credit: Mexican Caribbean Tourism Board)
One of the forum’s most valuable networking components was the series of one-on-one meetings, where Combs and Pasos conducted 44 targeted appointments with key romance travel sellers from the U.S. and Canada. These sessions provided an ideal platform to highlight the distinct experiences available across the Mexican Caribbean, from the secluded shores of Holbox and the cultural richness of Chetumal to the luxury resorts throughout the region. The personalized format allowed advisors to gain practical insights tailored to the growing demand for weddings that go beyond the traditional beachfront ceremony, and thoughtfully curated romantic getaways that emphasize personalization, variety and a deeper sense of place.
As the Official Destination Partner and a key Welcome Sponsor, the Tourism Board maintained a strong presence throughout the forum, both visually and through direct engagement. Branded touchpoints, advisor-facing activations and a bold in-destination setting all worked together to showcase the Mexican Caribbean’s strength in the Wedding and Romance travel segment.
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