Editorial Letter

Thanks to the tremendous work each one of our Karisma family members put in, we were able to achieve our 2019 expectations.

During this year, we were recognized with several awards: All our El Dorado and Azul hotels received 4-Diamond recertification in Mexico, and Safehotels awarded the first Global Hotel Security Standard in the Riviera Maya to our very own Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya (which will be renamed Margaritaville® Island Reserve Riviera Cancún, by Karisma, once it begins operations). Also, our properties in Jamaica and Punta Cana were recertified as 4-Diamond locations. It was a year of continuous effort!

Our richly-awarded restaurant, Le Chique, located in Azul Beach Riviera Cancún secured 32nd place in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 and was also recognized as Mexico’s Best Hotel Restaurant, by Food and Travel Awards 2019.

In the Sustainability spectrum, last year was very successful:We substituted out our plastic single-use water bottles for returnable glass bottles in all of our Mexican properties, and our Greenhouse at El Dorado Royale received Rainforest Alliance recertification for 2019-2020.

As if that weren’t enough, we came in third place in the “Diversity and Inclusion” category of Great Place to Work™ at national level. Awards and acknowledgements are always a pouring in for us, and this year was no exception.

With our passion intact and with a renewed positive attitude, we now begin a new cycle, one called “2020”.

This year will be historic for our company, thanks to the openings of Margaritaville® Island Reserve Riviera Maya, by Karisma, Margaritaville® Island Reserve Riviera Cancún, by Karisma and Nickelodeon™ Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya. These achievements are the result of our strategic alliances with two internationally renowned prestigious and innovative brands: Margaritaville® and Nickelodeon™. Our goal is to keep a step ahead in the hospitality industry, to keep positioning ourselves as a leading company at world level.

With the passion that all of you show and teamwork as a basis for our success, this year we will surely continue harvesting important awards. I challenge you to start this new cycle by working hard to not only reach, but to surpass the targets we set forth.

Sr. Sasa Milojevic President of Operations & CEO Mexico and Caribbean Region, Karisma Resorts of Mexico

General Director: Sasa Milojevic

Editor: Estela Paz / Mildred Mafud

Editorial Board: Alberto Roldán (El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/ Generations Riviera Maya, by Karisma/Xolumado Inspiration Village, by Karisma), Armando Sánchez (El Dorado Maroma, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma), Coynta Arzola (El Dorado Seaside Suites, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/Hidden Beach, Au Naturel Resort, by Karisma), Elvis Puc (Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya), Nayeri Ramos (TUI Sensatori Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancún), El Cielo Winery & Resort, by Karisma, Tameka Elliott (TUI Sensatori Azul Beach Resort Negril), Beatriz Osorio (Allure Hotels & Resorts by Karisma -Colombia), Indira Andujar (Nickelodeon™ Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana/TUI Sensatori Resort Punta Cana), Diana Mejía (Oficinas LATAM), Sahira García (Cedar Creek International).

Collaborators: Cinthia Estrada y Mariana Aguilar (El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/Generations Riviera Maya, by Karisma/Xolumado Inspiration Village, by Karisma), Mónica Cruz (El Dorado Maroma, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma), Cecilia Medina (El Dorado Seaside Suites, a Spa Resort, by Karisma/Hidden Beach, Au Naturel Resort, by Karisma), Gamaliel Tuz (Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya), Daniel Castellón (TUI Sensatori Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancún), Diego Jaramillo (Oficinas LATAM), Lyn Santos (Sustentabilidad), Grecia López (Spa), Fernando Peralta (Oficina Cancún).

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Editorial Letter

What’s New at… Karisma Hotels & Resorts

GIVC’S 2019

Karisma Adriatic: TLBH Adaptation!

Sustainability: We celebrated Sustainability Month in a great way at Karisma

Karisma Expansion / Awards & Recognitions

SPA: A radiant 2020

Karisma People: The satisfaction in helping out

Karisma Foundation: Have a healthy year

Cover Article: Holiday Villages Montenegro, The best family resort in the Adriatic region!

Exotic & Prestige

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Pampering Us

Training

Collaborator Meetings

The Best of The Best

Entertainment

Creative Director: Rosalinda Graf

Art Director: Antonio Violante

Editorial Design and Illustration: Nadia Pool

Printing: Pixel Press, S.A. de C.V. Carretera Cancún-Aeropuerto Km 15 lote 7, SM 301, Edificio USA Today P.B. Cancún, Quintana Roo C.P. 77560 Tel. 01( 998) 8862232 / atnclientes@pixelpress.com.mx

Kontacto Magazine Publicación trimestral de circulación gratuita, propiedad de Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

Address: Carretera Federal-Tulum Km. 55.3, Centro Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México C.P. 77710. Teléfono: +52 (984) 206 3470

Circulation: 1,000 copies.The content of the articles is the responsibility of their author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editorial Board, nor does it represent the official posture of the Hotels sponsoring this magazine. Advertising information is the sole responsibility of the advertisers.

WHAT’S NEW at Karisma Hotels & Resorts

AZUL BEACH RESORT RIVIERA CANCUN BY KARISMA

Le Chique’s Award Our multi-award-winning restaurant, Le Chique appeared for a second year in a row in the prestigious list “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants”, occupying 32 nd place.

Le Chique’s Anniversary Last October 5 th , we celebrated Le Chique’s 10th anniversary. Eleven chefs of great repute in the gastronomic sector were present, and a fabulous meal with a unique menu was offered, along with a special pairing.

Stewardship Course In an effort to provide excellent service to our guests, a training course in Stewardship was held, instructed by Mr. Miguel Alvear. Our butlers upgraded their knowledge in baggage packing and unpacking, room orientation, VIP check ins and more.

Mixology course In order to offer more innovative drinks for our bar guests, ten of our bartenders took part in a Mixology course, instructed by Mr. Sebastián Monje. Many different types of drinks were prepared with delicious creams and foams.

EL DORADO SEASIDE A SPA RESORT, BY KARISMA

Multiple acknowledgements At EDSR, we have had the privilege of being recognized by big businesses. · Spa & Wellness Mexicaribe Award 2019: Náay Spa received this award for a second consecutive year. · Golden Apple Award 2019: Thanks to our high standards and level of excellence, Apple Vacations awarded us this prize. · TUI Sensimar Sustainability Gold Award & TUI Sensimar Wifi Silver Award: These prizes were obtained during TUI’s 2019 Annual Conference in Turkey.

F&B Activations A pop-up bar from Aperol Spritz was permanently installed in Plaza Zócalo.

“PIB” Mayan buried oven Adopting regional traditions, a buried oven was installed in front of the Seaside Market restaurant in order to share part of the creative process interactively with our guests. Members Appreciation Week Our property organized a party in Exotic’s pool to celebrate Members Appreciation Week. The party included a variety of grilled food options, mixology, pool games and a Disc Jockey.

Mother’s Room In order to provide our female employees who are nursing a comfortable well-equipped area to feed their child, a Mother’s Room was inaugurated in the staff common area.

NOM 035 We implemented NOM 035 HR standards in October, providing courses and informing personnel.

OCTOBER – Cancer Awareness Month Pink orchids adorned the entire hotel, along with pink ribbons on the employee badges, a pink welcome drink for the guests as they arrived and there were spa specials for guests and staff alike.

CCTV Project In conformity with the Security Check standard, we began installing and activating 164 cameras in October.

No more plastic As part of our Sustainability Program, we started working with returnable glass bottles.

EL DORADO ROYALE A SPA RESORT, BY KARISMA

Chilli Pepper Festival 2019 Our traditional Chili Pepper Festival was held for our guests and the general public, with exquisite samplings of food and craft beers to taste.

Aquaerobics New exercise program for our guests from our entertainment team.

Fuentes Culinary Theatre Our remodeled Fuentes Culinary Theatre introduces a new concept and an improved show, where our guests experience a live and more interactive show.

Le Petit Chef A new gourmet experience awaits our guests, especially our little ones, where they can awaken their culinary senses with the help of Le Petit Chef.

Swords on La Isla A new concept for the presentation of the finest of cuts, served on swords (spits?) at our La Isla restaurant.

Renovations Many different construction tasks were performed in the renovation of Bar Gaviotas and Health Bar, and new furniture was installed in the foyer of the Fuentes Culinary Theatre.

Swimsuit Stores Catwalk Every Saturday, during the Foam Party, a Swimsuit fashion show on a catwalk shows off our specials from our Swimsuit Stores.

Fire Show This exciting night time show is performed every Thursday at Guacamayas Bar.

PALAFITOS AT EL DORADO MAROMA

A New App! With this app, our guests can get exclusive offers, contact us by chat for any needs, look up general information and enjoy many other benefits. It has been a big success!

EL CIELO WINERY & RESORT, BY KARISMA

Palaflitos Overwater Bungalows, one of the most luxurious in the world Our 5-star resort, with 30 gorgeous specialty rooms, has been named by the prestigious internationally acclaimed magazine Travel and Leisure as one of the most luxurious in the world. We are very proud!

Valle Food & Wine Fest This incredible festival brought together more than 40 chefs, combining culinary and artistic talent with music.

The favorite dish of the night was an exquisite pork belly taco that left guests lining up for second helpings.

Lunas de Octubre With drinks and appetizers to accompany the wonderful night time spectacle, the astronomy students from UNAM observed the full moon in the winery garden.

6th Anniversary and Launch of G&G wines by Gina Sommelier With 7 chefs present last September, the 6th anniversary of the winery was held, along with the launch of a new line of “G&G by Gina Sommelier” wines. The renowned chefs prepared tasty sampling dishes, each marinated with one of these novel wines.

ALLURE HOTELS BY KARISMA

Colombia Travel Expo Our hotels were represented at the Colombia Travel Expo, a networking, promotion and commercialization event for our Colombian tourist destinations and products.

Dónde Restaurant Week Near the end of last year, our Red Knife Parrilla restaurant participated in Dónde Restaurant Week, which turned out to be a great opportunity to reach a very diverse public, delighting their palates with incredible recipes and a tour of the gastronomic senses, specially designed by our Chef Patrón Diego Ibarra.

Corona Sunset en Allure Our hotels were represented at the Colombia Travel Expo, a networking, promotion and commercialization event for our Colombian tourist destinations and products.

AZUL BEACH RESORT NEGRIL BY KARISMA

Meatless Monday We have implemented Meatless Mondays in our staff cafeteria, fulfilling the second of our Objectives for Sustainable Development.

Sustainability Festival The most anticipated activities by our employees were the “Trashy but Bashy” fashion parade and the “Azul Kings and Queens of Sustainability” singing competition.

Family Sunday Sundays are 100% family days, with Movie Night on the Amber Terrace.

Remodeling the pedestrian walkway The employee walkway was repainted and new industrial lighting was installed, so that night time crossings are trouble-free.

NICKELODEON™ HOTELS & RESORTS PUNTA CANA

Annual Security Check Certification Last October we were audited by Safety Check from Cristal America, achieving certification for 2020 with a 90-point score, and we achieved 96.86-pointSecurity Check score.

Nick Jr Month In an effort to promote our characters better, we put on a Nick Jr. Month. In all thematic areas of the hotel, such as the Zext Restaurant and Nick Lobby, different activities were held, inspired by the water park.