Playa Viva

In this episode of the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast, host Amy Wald welcomes David Leventhal, a visionary entrepreneur and impact investor revolutionizing the travel industry through his ventures Playa Viva and Regenerative Travel For hoteliers and hospitality investors, David offers game-changing insights on: Driving profitability through regenerative practices Attracting top talent with purpose-driven operations Innovative community engagement strategies Leveraging sustainability certifications for brand enhancement Travelers will be inspired by David's passion for creating transformative experiences that benefit both guests and local communities. He paints an enticing picture of Playa Viva, his eco-resort in Mexico, where visitors can: Immerse themselves in the luxury of untouched nature Participate in sea turtle conservation Enjoy farm-to-table dining from the resort's own permaculture farm Connect with local culture and contribute to community projects David's creation of Regenerative Travel, a global network of conscious hotels, offers a roadmap for travelers seeking authentic, impactful experiences around the world. His philosophy of "all the luxury, none of the guilt" showcases how high-end hospitality can coexist with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

In this episode of the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast, host Amy Wald welcomes David Leventhal, a visionary entrepreneur and impact investor revolutionizing the travel industry through his ventures Playa Viva and Regenerative Travel For hoteliers and hospitality investors, David offers game-changing insights on: Driving profitability through regenerative practices Attracting top talent with purpose-driven operations Innovative community engagement strategies Leveraging sustainability certifications for brand enhancement Travelers will be inspired by David's passion for creating transformative experiences that benefit both guests and local communities. He paints an enticing picture of Playa Viva, his eco-resort in Mexico, where visitors can: Immerse themselves in the luxury of untouched nature Participate in sea turtle conservation Enjoy farm-to-table dining from the resort's own permaculture farm Connect with local culture and contribute to community projects David's creation of Regenerative Travel, a global network of conscious hotels, offers a roadmap for travelers seeking authentic, impactful experiences around the world. His philosophy of "all the luxury, none of the guilt" showcases how high-end hospitality can coexist with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Whether you're a hospitality professional looking to future-proof your business or a traveler dreaming of your next meaningful adventure, this episode will leave you inspired and eager to be part of the regenerative travel movement. Tune in for a discussion that proves sustainable tourism is not just a trend, but the future of travel and hospitality.

“An exceptional stay” Our guests tell us this regularly and now The MICHELIN Guide has reaffirmed it by awarding Playa Viva with two MICHELIN Keys. Equal to a restaurant gaining a MICHELIN Star, the MICHELIN Keys are provided to hotels that have been specially selected for offering the most outstanding stays. Vetted by passionate, independent MICHELIN experts taking into account five universal criteria: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting. MICHELIN Key hotels don’t just fulfil one of these criteria. They are the best of the best in all categories. As a hotel passionately working to facilitate large-scale community-driven transformation for both human well-being and environmental abundance, this award is an example to the industry of how tourism funds can be used to drive change while still successfully curating a world-leading guest experience. We thank our team for their passion and dedication to our mission and our guests for enabling Playa Viva to be much more than just a hotel. You can find our Two Key MICHELIN Guide page here- https://lnkd.in/g8mAdPAG #MICHELINKEY #Regenerativetourism

Take yourself on a virtual Regenerative Vacation and listen to On The Pass Podcast Gabriel Ornelas and David Leventhal talk Playa Viva, which among so many others things is "a magical place with its own personality." #trusttrisha https://lnkd.in/gSdUVPqP

On The Pass x David Leventhal Founder of Playa Viva In January 2023, Gabriel traveled to the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, in the state of Guerrero, to experience Playa Viva, an eco-luxury and regenerative boutique hotel founded by our next guest, David Leventhal, and his then-wife shortly after purchasing the land in 2006. David, originally from North Carolina, spent his early years in Mexico City, immersing himself in the country's rich heritage and culture. Initially pursuing a career in tech and software development, David eventually left that world to follow his passion for hospitality, sustainability, and his love for Mexico. Playa Viva is situated at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains, just forty minutes from Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH). This unique hotel embodies the concept "where your vacation meets your values™," dedicated to a triple-bottom-line approach that benefits the planet, people, and prosperity. With 19 treehouse rooms spread across nearly a mile of private beach and 200 acres of nature reserve, guests enjoy "The Luxury of Immersion in Nature." In 2023, Playa Viva achieved B-Corp Certification, becoming a world-leading example of experiential travel. The hotel offers an authentic, all-encompassing regenerative experience, combining wellness, action/adventure, excursions to unique places, and a commitment to restoring and regenerating the landscape and local communities. David’s passion for sustainability also led him to co-found Regenerative Travel, a company that connects travelers with independent hotels deeply rooted in their communities, enabling people, nature, and culture to thrive. Think of it as a Relais & Châteaux for ultra-eco-conscious sustainable properties worldwide. (I’ll include a link in the show notes to explore it further.) During my stay at Playa Viva, David and I discovered a shared love for building community and fostering genuine human connection—a mission David has successfully pursued since the inception of Playa Viva. In this episode, you’ll hear more about Playa Viva’s core values and the numerous accolades it has received from prestigious publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure Co., and Global Design News, which have elevated David and his team to a global stage. Listen Now 🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gJUATAWV Apple:  https://lnkd.in/gcZkSem3 🎧 On The Pass is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with our host Gabriel Ornelas today. #newepisode #travel #hospitality #foodculture #Mexico

Our SDG Impact Lab Fellows Amy Booth and Buntu Fanteso are working with UN Tourism to develop a global Environmental, #Social, and #Governance (ESG) Framework for Tourism Businesses and enhance how sustainability impacts are measured. To achieve this, our Fellows are engaging with innovative tourism companies worldwide, gaining first-hand insights into sustainable practices.✈️🌎 Their first stop: Playa Viva in Juluchuca, Guerrero, Mexico. Playa Viva is a pioneering eco-resort, founded by David Leventhal and Sandra Kahn, with a mission to create regenerative travel experiences that support both the #environment and local #communities. Explore more through their highlights 👉 tinyurl.com/42u7ys39 #Globalgoals #SDGs #Sustainability #ImpactResearch #ESG