Mexican Hospitality Summit 2025: A Milestone in the Hospitality Industry

Innovation, Leadership, and Wellness Redefining the Future of Hospitality

The first edition of the Mexican Hospitality Summit (SMH) has set a new benchmark in the industry. Designed as a space by hoteliers, for hoteliers, this event transformed the way industry leaders approach the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today and in the future.

Held in Mérida, Yucatán, a destination renowned for its hospitality and growing luxury tourism, SMH 2025 exceeded expectations in attendance, content, and strategic connections, reaffirming its role as a key platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The Power of Shared Knowledge

From the start, the event was charged with energy and innovation. The keynote speech by Braulio Arsuaga, CEO of Grupo Presidente, set the stage with an in-depth analysis of the challenges of tourism leading up to 2030. Enrique Calderón, COO of Posadas, captivated the audience with an insightful presentation on digitalization and how technology is reshaping hotel operations and profitability.

Another standout moment was the keynote by David Escalante, Director General of FIDETURE, who presented Tourism: A Necessary Industry for Development and Job Creation. His talk underscored the vital role of tourism in fostering economic growth and employment opportunities in Mexico and beyond.

Additionally, Rocco Bova unveiled The Secrets of the World’s Best Hotel, offering strategies for positioning a property among the industry’s elite. Adolfo Tuñón, in his compelling keynote Human Leadership, emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in hospitality leadership. He highlighted how leading with purpose can elevate team performance and guest experiences in a service-driven industry.

One of the event’s highlights was the Wellness Panel, moderated by Fran Lugo, with a panel of specialists such as Adriana Azuara, Alejandro Ortíz and Eduardo Finci, which explored the incredible growth opportunities within the wellness sector. With a global market value of $6.3 trillion and an annual growth rate of 5.6%, Mexico leads this trend with an 8.2% growth rate, making it a prime market for hotel investors and operators.

Impact Panels: Strategies That Make a Difference

The panel discussions provided high-value insights and actionable strategies:

Leadership and New Generations: Moderated by Adolfo Tuñón, this session examined the challenges of managing multigenerational teams and fostering leadership in hospitality with the intervention of Jair Arango, Gabriela Morales and Blanca Guevara.

Technology and Marketing: Driving Hotel Efficiency: Moderated by Claudia Olguín and with experts Areli Moran, José Elias Ganem and Josue Gio, this panel explored how digital tools are transforming hotel marketing, sales, and operations.

Human Capital: Closing the Recruitment Gap: Moderated byRocco Bova, and HHRR experts as Jorge Armando Lefranc, Gabriela Lozano, Dulce Cauich y Blanca Gueva, this discussion focused on best practices in talent acquisition, employee retention, and creating a strong workplace culture.

Beyond Content: A Community of Industry Leaders

What truly set SMH 2025 apart was its intimate, conversational format, which fostered an atmosphere of collaboration and learning. Attendees didn’t just network, they forged meaningful connections that will drive long-term partnerships and industry growth.

The event closed with a cocktail reception, where conversations turned into collaborations, and strategies into action plans. The feedback was unanimous: this summit delivered actionable insights and tangible opportunities for hospitality professionals.

Looking Ahead to SMH 2026

With its overwhelming success, SMH is already gearing up for its second edition in May 2026. Organizers Rocco Bova, Fran Lugo, and Adolfo Tuñón confirmed that the next summit will move to a larger venue to accommodate even more industry leaders and stakeholders.

The Mexican Hospitality Summit is here to stay. More than just an event, it is an industry-driven movement fostering growth, transformation, and leadership in Mexican and global hospitality.

See you in 2026!