UGC Mexico: Creative Tourism Partnerships at Mereva Hotel Tulum

Introduction to Creative Partnerships in Tourism/Travel

Chasing Creative has worked with resorts, hotels, and Airbnbs in Hawaii, Cuba, Spain, St. Lucia, and more. Recently, we took a quick two hour flight from Florida to first-time for us location. Tulum, Mexico, is picturesque destination known for its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, is becoming a hub for creative partnerships in the travel, digital nomads, and tourism industry.

In this growing region including the new Tulum Airport, Mereva Hotel stands out as a boutique hotel that feels safe, relaxing, and private. This article delves into the dynamics of such creative collaborations, highlighting how they benefit both the creators and the hotel. Giving those looking to travel and more realistic expectation through Reels, Stories, and authentic UGC.

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Overview of Mereva Hotel, Tulum

Mereva Hotel, nestled along the coast about 10 minutes from the heart of Tulum, offers more than just a luxurious stay. It's an experience that intertwines with the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region. Here, guests find themselves immersed in an environment that encourages creativity and connection, making it an ideal partner for content creators looking to capture the essence of Tulum.

Due to the size you quickly can become quick friends with other travelers or find an open space around the property to relax. When speaking to the General Manager at Mereva he said, "we want to be different from the other hotels not mandating a ton of rules—you are here to enjoy and relax".

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The Rise of UGC in the Travel Industry

User-generated content has become a cornerstone of marketing in the travel industry. It allows potential guests to see authentic experiences from real travelers, building trust and curiosity. Mereva Hotel recognizes this trend and actively seeks creative partners to showcase their unique experiences through UGC.

But they don't have to work with professional creatives alone—many guests—enjoy sharing and tagging the hotel across platforms to share with friends, family, and followers their travel experience. It isn't only good for the hotel though—its a great badge of honor to be a creator for these hotels—in fact many times it helps you connect with other creators locally who want to hear about your projects and share about their own in the area.

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‍Benefits of UGC for Hotels and Guests

UGC offers a win-win scenario for hotels like Mereva and their guests. For the hotel, it's an opportunity to display genuine guest experiences, enhancing their brand authenticity. For creators, it's a chance to showcase their talent and build their portfolio in a stunning setting like Tulum.

With hundreds of collaborations under our belts we've experienced both planned out creative and shooting which is more geared towards website content and relaxed open shoots that embody what good UGC is all about. In this case it was the later which made the experience all the better for capturing the best light, scenes, and environments as we went about our stay.

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Exploring Tulum: A Haven for Creatives

Tulum's natural beauty and cultural landscape make it a paradise for creatives. From the azure waters to the ancient ruins, there's an endless source of inspiration. This makes it an ideal location for creating compelling UGC that captures the essence of a traveler's experience. If you are a creative that thrives off of sunrises this is your spot.

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Crafting a UGC Mexico Strategy with properties like Mereva Hotel

Creating a successful user-generated content in Mexico strategy involves collaboration, creativity, and understanding the brand's ethos. Mereva Hotel works closely with content creators to ensure that the UGC aligns with their brand values while also giving creators artistic freedom. We've had lots of people ask us how we are able to travel to such locations and I can't stress enough the following tips.

1. Create and outline a brief or presentation. I took the time to think through our story as creatives, our offer, and what social proof would highlight us the best. I then shared this with each property we began conversations with.
2. Don't be afraid of hearing "not right now" or "we are currently set with UGC" lots of properties are being reached out to daily, having things planned, or are at capacity. Keep contact information and follow up later—most of the time they are surprised you take the time.
3. Try to understand what you can highlight best during your stay—there is usually a lot of aspects to cover—what represents your style and creative that also compliments the property.
4. Deliver on agreed handoffs and work in a timely manner post production. How you end the collaboration is setting you up for future referrals and opportunities in the area. Generally, we post while staying and properties invite us back or if have a sister property may want images of that next.

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‍The Role of Social Media in UGC Distribution

Social media platforms play a crucial role in distributing UGC, reaching a wide and diverse audience. This section explores the best practices for sharing UGC on various social media platforms to maximize impact. Being proactive before, during, and after a trip can help drive more awareness for both parties. Inquire with the property to see if they might be willing to offer a discount for your network to take advantage of in the future.

How UGC in Mexico Transforms Travel Experiences

User-generated content (UGC) has redefined how travelers discover and experience destinations, and Mexico is no exception. The authentic, real-life moments shared by creators provide a window into the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unique hospitality this country offers. Whether it's a sunrise on a Tulum beach, the culinary artistry in Mexico City, or a peaceful retreat in Baja, UGC brings these experiences to life in ways traditional marketing can't.

For travelers, UGC offers a realistic glimpse into what they can expect—a perspective shaped by real guests, not glossy advertising. This type of content builds trust and fuels inspiration for their next adventure. For properties, UGC is a powerful tool to attract visitors who align with their brand ethos, helping them stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

In Mexico, where the tourism industry thrives on authenticity and warmth, UGC also plays a role in preserving and sharing cultural identity. It allows travelers to experience and appreciate the rich traditions, cuisine, and history of the region while capturing moments that highlight these elements in their content. By leaning into this approach, both creators and hospitality brands can foster deeper connections with their audiences.

Tips for Creators: Partnering with Properties in Mexico

For creators looking to collaborate with Mexican resorts, hotels, or Airbnbs, the key to success is a blend of professionalism, respect for the local culture, and clear communication. Here are some actionable tips to guide your partnerships:

1. Understand Cultural Nuances

• Mexico’s hospitality is deeply rooted in respect and warmth, so approach partnerships with genuine interest in the property's story and values.
• Highlight the local culture in your content. Showcase traditional elements such as regional cuisine, décor, or events happening at the property.
• Learn basic Spanish phrases to connect with staff and demonstrate cultural appreciation—it can go a long way.

2. Align Your Offer with Their Needs

• Before pitching, research the property’s current content. Are they focusing on showcasing their dining experiences, family-friendly amenities, or eco-conscious initiatives? Tailor your pitch to fill gaps or enhance their existing narrative.
• Offer unique deliverables. For example, suggest creating Instagram Reels that showcase a "day in the life" at the property, or highlight seasonal offerings like holiday packages or summer adventures.

3. Prepare for Legal Considerations

• Understand any visa requirements if you plan to work or stay in Mexico as a creator. While short stays usually fall under tourist activities, anything extended or involving compensation might require additional paperwork.
• Use contracts to protect both parties. Clearly define deliverables, timelines, and usage rights for the content you produce.

4. Leverage Platform-Specific Strategies

• On Instagram, focus on vibrant, visually appealing content like carousel posts or short Reels with engaging captions. Geotag locations and use hashtags like #UGCMexico, #TulumVibes, or #VisitMexico for maximum reach.
• On TikTok, lean into storytelling with behind-the-scenes clips or “hidden gem” spots at the property. Authenticity performs well here, so highlight real moments of your stay.
• If you’re using YouTube, create longer-form content such as travel guides or property reviews, which can double as evergreen resources for both the property and your audience.

5. Respect the Property and Its Guests

• Be mindful of other guests’ privacy when shooting content. Choose less crowded times to capture key areas, like early mornings or late afternoons.
• Leave spaces as you found them and avoid disrupting the flow of the property’s operations.

6. Build Lasting Relationships

• Follow up with a thank-you email or message after your collaboration. Share links to the content you’ve created and ask if they need anything further.
• Stay in touch. Even if they don’t have immediate opportunities, maintaining a relationship can lead to future collaborations.

By approaching partnerships in Mexico with authenticity, respect, and creativity, you not only create meaningful content but also open doors to future opportunities across this stunning country.

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We Hope to return to the Mereva Hotel

As a family of three this hotel was perfect for us for travel collaborations in Tulum. We had an ocean view room, plunge pool, and plenty of space to relax inside our out. Then a few steps through the beautiful stairways and greenery you are at the beach. While mostly rocky the hotel provides complimentary ocean gear and water shoes for your enjoyment. Walking the stretched dock into the bright blue ocean will be engrained in my mind for years to come.

Another aspect when comparing to an all-inclusive we stayed at after was the quality of food and service at the Mereva—it's top notch. Most staff knew myself, wife, and daughter by name and what we generally liked in the morning and when out by the beach. This type of service can be hard to come by these days.

The food as well has a special touch and while we averaged roughly $80-120 per dinner and drinks and had what I would consider first class dishes that in a large city in the US would be much more expensive. If you have a choice, go for the included breakfast as well—it doesn't disappoint and has several options both local and healthy.

If you are looking to learn more about UGC travel content or plan your visit to Mereva Tulum shoot us a message. We would be happy to help!