Marc Murphy is Managing Director, Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mexico
When did you decide to make a career in the hospitality industry?
After spending over a year studying anthropology in college, I chose to change careers by studying hospitality management.
What are your main responsibilities as managing director of Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau?
Defining and formulating the policies for the CVB; creating the annual marketing plan; planning and overseeing the objectives and strategies of all departments, and measuring results; being a link between the private and public sectors; and representing the CVB and hotel association.
You worked in Puerto Vallarta for several years. How does it compare with Riviera Nayarit in terms of what it offers meeting groups?
The destinations complement each other. The Vallarta side provides the necessary nightlife and traditional feel, while the Riviera Nayarit side provides the more upscale luxury infrastructure that groups are looking for.
How has Riviera Nayarit evolved as a meetings destination?
Over the years, Riviera Nayarit has become the top Mexican destination for revolutionized meetings, incentives and conventions. It’s also become the No. 1 option for successful and visionary meeting planning companies all over the world. Whether you are looking for an intimate board meeting or a company awards trip, we guarantee you will find one-of-a-kind venues and experiences for every type of occasion.
Riviera Nayarit provides an ideal setting due to the variety of state-of-the-art meeting facilities at all of the major resorts, and luxury to boutique accommodations. Of the almost 15,000 hotel rooms that are offered along the 200-mile coastline of Riviera Nayarit, half are upscale to luxury products, offering over 81,000 sq. ft. of modern, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, with versatile settings and breakout rooms. Professional, unparalleled service, exquisite gastronomy and accessible pricing will turn your eyes to this amazing destination, Mexico’s Pacific treasure.
Please share details about new hotels, resorts and convention centers in Riviera Nayarit.
Riviera Nayarit’s newest hotel, Starwood luxury brand’s W Punta de Mita, opened May 31 in the Los Veneros development of Punta de Mita. The oceanfront property has 120 guest villas, featuring lavish amenities and the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service. In addition, the resort has a 4,000-square-foot spa, gym, bar lounge, W Living Room, swimming pool and contemporary design. Three indoor studio rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and outdoor options include tented beachfront dining venues and hideaway reception spaces.
The recently opened Sanctuary Convention Center at the 348-room Hard Rock Hotel Nuevo Vallarta provides a new 12,900-square-foot space. The property can host themed meetings and events, including Prehispanic Night, where you can recreate your company’s logo carved in stone.
One&Only will make its debut in Riviera Nayarit with the One&Only Mandarina, Mexico in 2018. The property will offer 145 luxurious villas, as well as separate private residential estates. The beautiful beachfront resort will embrace the surrounding forest, with villas individually and sparsely placed to encapsulate the marriage of sky, sea, and lush flora and fauna.
What can you tell us about the forthcoming Fairmont Costa Canuva?
Luxury hotel operator Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Mota-Engil Turismo announced the development of this new 250-room luxury hotel and additional private residences along the Riviera Nayarit.
The sparkling new Fairmont Costa Canuva is slated to open in late 2018 and will be within the new master-planned seaside community, Costa Canuva, on the Riviera Nayarit. The Costa Canuva development is set along miles of pristine beach, just north of Punta Mita and approximately 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
Fairmont Costa Canuva will include 40 Fairmont Gold rooms and Fairmont-branded residences. It will also boast more than 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, six restaurants and bars, an expansive outdoor swimming pool and a 13,000-square-foot spa. As well as attracting luxury travelers and adventurous sun-seekers, the Fairmont Costa Canuva will benefit from its close proximity to the Sanctuary Convention Center, making it an ideal venue for corporate groups, conferences and social events.
What are your favorite activities when you’re not working?
Playing squash, and going to movies and the beach.
Hometown: Born and raised in Montreal; resides in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Education: Degree in tourism administration, Champlain University in Montreal
Career: Began career with Tours Chanteclerc in Montreal; also worked for Receptour Canada, Adventure Tours Canada and Sol Vac Holidays, and managed tourism services for Delta and Northwest airlines in Banderas Bay, Mexico; owned and operated his own destination management company before joining the Riviera Nayarit CVB
