Vidanta Riviera Maya is a jungle paradise, but that doesn’t happen by itself. Behind the scenes, EarthCheck Coordinator Gabriel Lopez is working hard to keep Riviera Maya green.
“The flamingos came when they were babies. An institution rescued them after a hurricane had destroyed their nesting area. When they had no room for them, we took them in.”
The flamingos are lucky, because they’re an exception to a very strict rule at Vidanta Riviera Maya—they’re the only species of plant or animal on the entire resort that doesn’t predate Vidanta’s arrival. Everything else, even the crocodiles Gabriel will feed later today, was already here before the resort was established. No species have been added, and nothing has been removed.
This strict policy, which Gabriel refers to as “normativity”, helps ensure that the local habitat is disturbed as little as possible by the presence of the resort, and it’s one of the essential aspects of Vidanta’s environmental plan. Upholding this plan, and helping to manage Vidanta’s use of energy, waste, and water, are Gabriel’s primary concerns as EarthCheck Coordinator.
EarthCheck Coordinator Gabriel Lopez.
Gabriel’s passion for the environment started early, thanks in no small part to the influence of his parents.
“My parents came to Cancun over 30 years ago, and found a home in an un-spoilt area in the jungle, where I grew up and they still live. Jungle everywhere!”
Gabriel spent his entire childhood playing and learning about the environment that was his home. Meanwhile, development in Cancun and Riviera Maya was exploding. As more and more resorts were created, the local government—understanding the need to protect the natural treasures that made the region so valuable—passed some of the strictest environmental regulations in Mexico. But when Vidanta Riviera Maya opened, Vidanta wanted to take those environmental precautions further. In 2004 they partnered with the non-profit EarthCheck, a global leader in promoting sustainable tourism. In 2010, Gabriel joined the department as Coordinator, and has been tireless in promoting sustainability within the resort, and throughout the community.
“I think Vidanta is a pioneer in [environmental] initiatives,” Gabriel says. “In the last five years many hotels have been added to the EarthCheck program, not only for the reduced consumption, but for the preservation of our natural resources and ecosystems . . . and every year there are more hotels, more companies interested in the sustainability process.”
The crocodiles are original residents of the region—Vidanta helps ensure their habitat is protected.
It’s this community work that Gabriel finds most rewarding. His favorite part of the job, he says, comes when he can support other institutions, either by lending his expertise or through direct donations. Vidanta is always innovating and updating resort hotel accommodations and facilities—under Gabriel’s direction, every piece of bedding, furniture, and equipment finds its way to a deserving local organization, including schools and non-profits. It’s work he finds incredibly rewarding, but what’s the most fun part of his job?
“Well…” he smiles, “It’s probably still the flamingos.”
Next time you see Gabriel, or any member of the EarthCheck Department, at Vidanta Riviera Maya, say hello! They’re working hard to keep all of Quintana Roo beautiful. But be careful not to disturb the crocodiles—after all, they were here first.
