Wyndham forms resort marketing alliance with Grupo Mayan

The Wyndham name has extended its reach further into Mexico, thanks to a new alliance between Wyndham Hotel Group and Grupo Mayan of Mexico.

The agreement involves four Grand Mayan and five Mayan Palace resorts in Mexico. As part of the deal, the Mayan properties will be labeled with the Wyndham brand name in third-party distribution channels and marketed by both companies.

"Wyndham Hotel Group's alliance with Grupo Mayan significantly increases our footprint in Mexico," said Douglas Smith, Wyndham Hotel Group's managing director, Latin America and Caribbean. "Grupo Mayan maintains one of the resort industry's largest portfolios, and its prime beachfront locations, spectacular architecture and unsurpassed service and amenities have made it a leader in Mexican tourism for more than 25 years. The alliance also enhances Grupo Mayan's access to North American and international markets."

Felipe Ramirez, Grupo Mayan's vice president of administration, said, "This relationship builds on our demonstrated success in attracting vacationers from the U.S. and Canada, ensuring our leading position in Mexico."

The agreement will not affect the management of the Grupo Mayan properties.

Wyndham continues to operate its own Viva Wyndham Resorts brand in Mexico and the Caribbean.

"Guests of both Viva Wyndham Resorts and the Grupo Mayan resorts can expect the same personalized experience they would at any Wyndham property with Wyndham ByRequest [the company's guest-recognition program]," Smith said.

Free to join, the ByRequest program enables its members to personalize their guest room by choosing from hundreds of options, including welcome snack, beverage and preferred magazine.

Eight of the Grupo Mayan resorts involved, totaling more than 3,000 rooms, are open. The one that isn't, the Grand Mayan Los Cabos, is scheduled to open before the end of the year. The agreement does not extend to all Grupo Mayan properties, however.

"The agreement includes only the Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan resorts that are most closely aligned with the Wyndham Hotel and Resorts brand's positioning," Smith said.

Wyndham continues to eye future growth in Mexico, he noted.

"We view Mexico as one of the most important North American destination markets, and we continue to seek opportunities to expand our presence in the country," Smith said.

To contact reporter Mark Chesnut, send e-mail [email protected].