RIU AND ITS COMMITMENT IN MEXICO: A SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY THAT IS TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES

23 October, 2025 Share

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At RIU, we believe that true luxury is not only experienced within our resorts, but also includes the opportunity to discover destinations full of life, culture and natural beauty.  That is why what began as a social responsibility philosophy was consolidated in 2024 into a cross-cutting sustainability strategy, with clear and ambitious goals that set our course towards 2026. This is not an isolated initiative; it is a commitment that has been integrated into the DNA of every department in the chain, transforming the way we operate, purchase and interact with the destinations that welcome us. A cornerstone of this strategy is our collaboration with our local partners, with whom we work side by side to generate a positive, tangible and lasting social and environmental impact.

SOCIAL FABRIC: 14 PARTNERS, 17 INITIATIVES AND A COMMON GOAL

Currently, in Mexico we collaborate with 14 foundations through 19 specific initiatives in the destinations where we operate. Our mission is to support projects that promote education, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life in communities, especially for children. These are long-term collaborative ties, and an extraordinary example is our alliance with Fundación Aitana in Quintana Roo. We have been working with them for more than a decade, supporting their tireless efforts dedicated to children and young people battling cancer, lupus, or aplastic anaemia. Over the past 10 years, we have allocated nearly 23 million pesos to treatments, medicines and comprehensive support, resources that directly translate into hope and a better quality of life for these little fighters and their families. This collaboration goes beyond donation; it is a relationship of deep respect and admiration that reflects our fundamental commitment to the health and well-being of the communities around us.

Here we tell you a little more about this collaborative network that spans the country:

Quintana Roo: In the heart of the Mexican Caribbean, we support ocean conservation with Oceanus, provide opportunities for children through Save the Children, and, as mentioned, contribute our grain of sand to the wonderful work of Fundación Aitana.

Mazatlán: In the “Pearl of the Pacific”, we are committed to education and social development, collaborating with Proeduca Sinaloa and Back to Back Mexico.

Nayarit:In this natural paradise, our commitment is to its people and its biodiversity. We provide support to families and children through CANICA (a support center for children with cancer), and we help preserve marine fauna with ECOBAC (whale ecology and conservation) and CEMBAB (conservation of the wonderful species of Banderas Bay).

Guadalajara:In this iconic location, our investment goes to strengthening the social fabric through Corporativa de Fundaciones and regenerating green spaces with Bosque Urbano Extra.

Los Cabos:In this iconic Pacific destination, our work focuses on children and young people, through our collaborations with Los Niños del Capitán and Amigo de los Niños.

A COMMITMENT THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS

Although we do not have a hotel presence in the nation’s capital, we recognise the national and global importance of the work carried out by some of the foundations based there. That is why, in Mexico City we have also reached out to ECPAT, a leading organisation in the frontline fight against the commercial sexual exploitation of minors and adolescents, a problem that, unfortunately, can occur in the context of tourism. Our collaboration with ECPAT is aligned with the principles of THE CODE (codes of conduct for the protection of children and adolescents in the travel and tourism industry in the  Americas), an international initiative in which RIU plays an active role. Through this partnership, we support field work, strengthen our internal protocols, and train our staff to prevent, identify, and report situations of potential risk. In parallel, we collaborate with Dr. Sonrisas, taking joy and emotional support to those who need it most. These strategic alliances allow us to address complex problems at the national level, complementing the local work we do in the tourist destinations where we operate.

PURPOSE-BASED INVESTMENT: FROM PHILOSOPHY TO MEASURABLE ACTION

This strategy is accompanied by a significant investment in sustainability, ranging from energy efficiency and waste management in our hotels to the training of our employees. What began as a series of philanthropic actions is now a structured plan, with clear metrics and objectives that allow us to measure our progress and ensure that each resource invested generates the maximum positive impact. Our history with Fundación Aitana is a testament to this evolution: it demonstrates how perseverance and long-term vision can generate profound and measurable change. At RIU, we are more convinced than ever that the tourism of the future must be sustainable or it will simply not exist. We will keep working with enthusiasm and responsibility to be an agent of change, building, together with our partners, collaborators, and guests, a brighter and more resilient future for Mexico.