HotelChatter

Underground Activity
The 28-year-old Santos is originally from nearby Mérida in the Yucatan Peninsula, and holds Master’s degrees in Marine Biology and Sustainable Tourism. When we asked her what makes the environment around the Fairmont so special, she told us about the particular ecology of the Yucatan’s limestone soils, which allow rain to pass through. “This is why all the freshwater in the area is underground in a complex system of subterranean rivers, holes and ravines,” some of which open to the surface and are called cenotes.

In order not to disturb the local ecology, she says, “At Mayakoba, exhaustive research was made to identify the circulation pattern of underground freshwater, and a system of canals was built following this pattern. They dug deep into the rock and soil until the underground water was exposed and because of the natural circulation of water, the system now functions naturally, without any pumps or filters…the canals are surrounded by three ecosystems: the jungle, the mangrove sand costal dune.” Plus, all four of Mexico’s types of mangroves are present on Mayakoba’s property.

That’s important, says Santos, because “the mangrove and its biological and ecological function are extremely important in protecting the shore against erosion. It is a natural nursery area for various species of fish, crustacean, mollusks and birds, and also acts as a buffer zone against hurricanes and storms.”

Community and Land
It’s not all about the water, though. In keeping with Fairmont Hotels and Resort’s overall Green Partnership Program, which has been in place at all the chain’s properties since 1990, “Each Fairmont is intended to be an important component of the destination, so the relationship with the local communities need to be strong and mutually beneficial,” explains Santos. This boils down to a philosophy that Santos characterizes as “social sustainability.”

At the Fairmont Mayakoba this philosophy has included a $10,000 donation to a group of Mayan women who are producing traditional indigenous medicinal, cosmetics and edible products made with honey and bee-related sources (like wax, pollen and royal jelly) from endangered native stingless Melipona bees—which is why the resort received a hive as a gift in return, and guests can observe and learn about the bees at the resort’s Willowstream Spa garden.

Getting Out Into Nature
The most important way Santos and her team convey the hotel’s environmental mission, however, is by getting guests out on the property to experience nature. According to Santos, her favorite guest excursions are the Nature Adventure Tour that takes guests via boat through the canals and talks about the biodiversity of the area and Fairmont’s environmental initiatives; and the Muyil Forest and Float activity where guests visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a local Mayan cooperative and go hiking on an archaeological site, take boat tours of the freshwater lagoons and wetlands, and learn from guides fluent in Spanish, English and Mayan.

“I want guests to connect with nature, to forget urban life (at least during their vacation) and connect with the earth. I want them to go home enlightened and inspired by the beauty of nature, and to make a conscious decision to contribute to the conservation of the earth to the best of their ability,” says Santos.

Reestablishing Our Connection To Nature
“Human beings have always had a strong connection to nature,” she tells us. “However, in the last 150 years, this connection has begun to weaken.” She thinks that the current trend toward eco-conscious travel stems from a basic need that people are indulging to “go back to basics and experience the peace and strength that comes with observing and encountering nature.”

She implies a warning that this trend must be carefully fostered, however. “When managed in a sustainable way, eco-tourism can be a strong way to improve the livelihood of an area and make a positive impact on a destination.”

After all, the point of taking an eco-trip is not only to experience a wonderful place, but to leave a positive impact behind for future travelers as well.

[Photos: Fairmont Mayakoba]