Iberostar Playa Paraíso recently hosted the first-ever edition of the North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) held outside the United States — marking a milestone for one of the most important business gatherings in the golf tourism industry.
Organized by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the event brought together 254 professionals at the end of June, including buyers, tour operators, and specialized suppliers from 32 countries, further strengthening Riviera Maya’s position as a strategic destination for this segment.
As official host of the convention, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts turned its resort into the setting for the event’s main activities, including a tournament held at Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club, a beachfront welcome reception, two days of business meetings at the resort’s convention centre, and exclusive experiences designed to showcase the company’s hospitality offering.
The NAC also represented a strategic opportunity to strengthen the positioning of Golf Iberostar among some of the world’s leading specialist distributors.
During the opening session, the company presented its international golf offering, which integrates resorts and courses in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Spain. Iberostar also held more than 40 commercial meetings with specialized operators to drive new business opportunities and strengthen partnerships in key markets.
Nick Balzán, Senior Vice President Commercial & Sales Americas, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, observed that: “Being hosts of the IAGTO North America Convention at our Iberostar Playa Paraíso resort is a historic milestone for the company, especially as this is the first time the NAC has been held outside the United States. Successfully welcoming more than 200 buyers and suppliers is a tremendous achievement, and the global exposure this will generate for the Iberostar brand within the golf segment is invaluable. Being able to speak with delegates from around the world and witness their genuine amazement firsthand truly reinforces the strategic importance of this initiative and the world-class quality of our facilities.”
The selection of Iberostar Playa Paraíso as the venue for the first NAC edition outside the United States further strengthens Riviera Maya’s role as a leading destination for golf tourism and reflects the industry’s confidence in Iberostar’s ability to host international events and contribute to the growth of golf tourism in the region.
