
Hello, I'm Jose Manuel GARCIA
Founder
Jose Manuel is a self-made man, working his way up from his humble beginnings in 1971 as a dry cleaning valet and later a bellman at the Acapulco Hilton Hotel. Four years later, he became the groups and conventions manager at the Canadian Pacific Hotel. At age 25 he was appointed Mexico's youngest ever director of sales with Continental Hotels. Garcia later served as the regional sales and marketing director for Fiesta Americana, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn hotels. In 1984 he was named to head up the sales and marketing team for the Hyatt Regency Cancun, and held that position until leaving to start his own company.
On November 1, 1986, together with his friends Dolores Lopez-Lira and Jose Luis Martinez of Lomas Travel Group, Mr. Garcia founded IVI. Mr. Garcia has guided IVI to become the leading destination management company in the Americas.
Jose Manuel was president of the Acapulco chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), president of the Cancun Travel Agencies Association, and is a member of the board of directors for the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADMEI). Mr. Garcia is also the founder and current president of the Mexican Association of Destination Management Companies.
Garcia has a graduate degree in tourism administration from the Guerrero State University. He has also earned diplomas and certifications from Cornell University, Holiday Inn University, SITE, ADMEI, ISMP, MPI, and HSMAI. Over the years he has received numerous awards.
Jose-Manuel was born in Mexico City in 1951, raised in Acapulco, has lived in the Catskills in upstate New York, and now lives in Cancun. He and his wife, Araceli, have two children and two grandchildren. In his personal time he enjoys meeting people, reading, golfing, bowling, and playing tennis. In both his personal and professional life Garcia credits his success to following his philosophy that "attitude is everything.”
Personal Favorites
Local Attractions: Chichen Itza, recently recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is one of my all-time favorites. I also enjoy outdoor and water activities at places such as Xel-Ha, which is considered the largest natural aquarium in the world. I also love spending a full day at Xcaret, finishing with the spectacular Xcaret night show.
Recreational Activity: Playing golf always appeals to me. l also enjoy reading a good business book. Two books that I highly recommend are: "Good to GREAT" by Jim Collins, and “The 1% Solution for work and life" by Tom Connellan.
Favorite Restaurant: La Habichuela downtown and the La Habichuela Sunset are definitely my two favorite restaurants in Cancun. I also enjoy having dinner at the Café des Artistes in Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by a relaxed “gourmet bistro” ambiance. I highly recommend these places and more!.
Local Tour: Mayan Encounter conducted by Alltournative (Chimuch o Pac Chen) is a very exciting tour. I also enjoy the full day tour at Xplor, which offers thrilling adventures like driving amphibious vehicles through the jungle and soaring on exciting zip lines across the highest canopy towers in Latin America.
Local Event: The Xcaret night show is a magnificent show on a giant stage where more than 300 costumed performers use music and folkloric dances to represent Mexico's history and culture from the Mayas to the country's independence from Spain. It is definitely the best show in Mexico!.