Abercrombie & Kent last October opened a new destination management company (DMC) in Mexico, with offices in Mexico City and Merida. The company plans to open a property in Mexico this year (watch this space for details) and sees the DMC office as a complement to its growth in the country.
Graeme Bull, who built A&K's program in Colombia from scratch, is the general manager of the Mexico DMC. He says his office provides customized itineraries, exclusive access to unique experiences, and 24/7, on-the-ground support.
We touched base with Bull about what the new A&K luxury guest experience will offer in Mexico.
LTA: Great to hear about your appointment. With a new DMC in Mexico, will A&K be adding on to its Mexico programs?
Graeme Bull: Thank you. A&K Mexico is expanding its portfolio with even more curated and immersive experiences. Mexico has always been an exciting destination [and] having a dedicated DMC on the ground allows us to craft and refine logistics, enhance our offerings and introduce exclusive "Insider Access" experiences in line with A&K’s global standards. We are also excited to launch several new small group journeys in Mexico in the coming months.
LTA: Can you provide some examples of experiences you'll be able to offer clients that are unique and different?
Graeme Bull: Our local team and partners have been working collaboratively to curate private, behind-the-scenes experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing. Some highlights include:
- Exclusive access to Mexico’s artistic and culinary elite: Private dinners with top chefs, meetings with renowned artisans in Oaxaca and visits to contemporary art studios in Mexico City. A standout experience we’ve created is a unique event connecting female entrepreneurs from the U.S. and Mexico in the arts and fashion industries.
- Immersive heritage encounters: Private after-hours tours of archaeological sites with leading archaeologists, hands-on workshops with traditional artisans, and storytelling sessions with indigenous elders.
- Luxury hacienda stays and bespoke nature retreats: Personalized wellness escapes in Yucatán’s most stunning haciendas, yacht explorations through the Sea of Cortez and curated stays working with hotels to create an exclusive health program.
These experiences are designed to provide a deeper, more meaningful connection to Mexico while maintaining the standards we pride ourselves on.
LTA: Will there be ultra-luxe experiences, over-the-top adventures available? Will they appeal to all age groups?
Graeme Bull: I personally love the challenge of delivering one-of-a-kind experiences tailored to different traveler demographics. Our clients range from young explorers to seasoned travelers, families, adventurers; we tailor each experience to fit the traveler. We have already worked with and executed some amazing itineraries for exclusive clients that have included private jet journey across Mexico’s cultural capitals, a multi-generational villa stays with personalized chef services and curated activities.The
LTA: What's trending in Mexico these days in terms of luxury travel?
Graeme Bull: Luxury travel in Mexico is experiencing an exciting evolution, with several key trends shaping the landscape:
- Sustainability and Authenticity: High-end travelers are seeking eco-conscious or boutique luxury stays, such as sustainable haciendas [and] boutique jungle lodges.
- Private and Bespoke Experiences: Privacy is paramount, with private yachts, secluded beachfront villas and off-the-grid destinations away from the coastline of Cabo and Puerto Vallarta (among the most popular).
- Culinary Exploration: Mexico’s diverse gastronomy remains a huge draw, especially in Mexico City and Oaxaca, with demand for street food tours, mezcal tastings and intimate dining events.
- Adventure Travel: Exploration into Mexico’s amazing landscapes, glamping in Baja California, mountain biking in Oaxaca or volcano trekking in the state of Mexico. Challenges that open up clients to the to amazing topography of the country.
- Multi-Destination combining with Multi-generational Itineraries: Empty-nester travelers exploring multiple regions—combining Mexico City with Oaxaca, before heading to the Yucatan, renting a hacienda and inviting the rest of the family to come join for a long weekend.
LTA: Why was the decision made to open in Mérida and the Yucatán?
Graeme Bull: Mérida and the Yucatán offer a compelling blend of history, culture and untapped luxury potential. Leading brands like Six Senses, Belmond as well as Chablé are all opening either first or second properties in the area. The area is also home to stunning haciendas [and] incredible Mayan archaeological sites, like Chichen Itza, Uxmal.
Having an office in the Yucatán Peninsula aligns perfectly with some of conservation efforts, and allows us opportunities to engage with local communities, making it a natural fit for the type of meaningful, high-end experiences we aim to deliver. In addition to Mérida, we also have an office in Mexico City and a presence in Cancun.
LTA: What were you doing at A&K prior to this appointment?
Graeme Bull: Before taking on this role in Mexico, I built A&K’s operation in Colombia, a green site that was recognized as best new DMC in 2023. Here my focus was on unlocking a destination and offering to our clientele a country that is new to high-end travel, but ties in so well to our roots as a company in being pioneering.
With 15 years in luxury travel my various roles have always led me to forging strategic partnerships, curating product, assisting DMC’s in dynamic and emerging markets. Travel has always been in my DNA—taking my first flight at four months old and now having experienced more than 100 countries and lived on five continents. I have always loved the challenge of looking to see how to create a new moment, local connection or discovery, and here in Mexico the opportunity is massive in such a vibrant and beautiful destination.
At A&K, I’ve also worked closely with Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP), ensuring that luxury travel isn’t just about exclusivity but about creating a lasting impact. In Mexico, that mission continues—we are already discussing developing meaningful AKP projects and reinforcing our commitment to responsible, sustainable travel in one of the world’s most vibrant destinations.
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