About Us · Leadership

Matt S. Ziegler

Sole Owner & Chairman · Puerto Fantasía Group

Sole Owner & Chairman

Building a legacy of inspired destinations

Matt S. Ziegler is the Sole Owner and Chairman of Puerto Fantasía Group — a multinational destination development platform he built from the ground up. His mission: to create places that do more than entertain. Places that change communities, inspire generations, and prove that business can be a genuine force for good in the world.

Born into a sixth-generation entrepreneurial family with roots in the Ziegler distillery founded in 1865, Matt carries with him an inherited sense of craftsmanship, precision and long-term thinking — values he has applied throughout his professional life to the complex, ambitious task of building iconic destinations from scratch.

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Biography

From Distillery Heritage to Global Vision

The Ziegler family story begins in 1865 with Gustav Joseph Ziegler — brewmaster, cooper and distiller — who built a legacy of artisanal excellence across six generations in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Their fruit schnapps, brandies and premium spirits became internationally acclaimed, earning the Ziegler name a reputation for uncompromising quality.

Matt S. Ziegler grew up immersed in this culture of craft, quality and entrepreneurship. After the family's distillery business was ultimately sold, he channelled this legacy into a new ambition: building world-class destinations that carry the same DNA of excellence, craft and long-term vision — but on a global scale.

He established Prometheus Deutschland GmbH in 2011 as the technical and operational foundation of the group's engineering capabilities. From there, he developed Puerto Fantasía Group into a multinational platform active across leisure, hospitality, real estate and community development — with offices in Germany, Mexico and New York, and active projects spanning three continents.

In January 2025, Matt became the group's sole owner — a milestone that marks a new era of unified leadership, strategic focus and accelerated international growth. Under his direction, the group generated USD 588 million in revenue in 2024 (a 36% year-on-year increase), with a 35% EBITDA margin and USD 94 million net profit.

Matt S. Ziegler

Key Facts

RoleSole Owner & Chairman
Family Legacy6 Generations since 1865
FoundedPrometheus Deutschland GmbH 2011
Sole Owner SinceJanuary 2025
2024 RevenueUSD 588 Million
Active MarketsEurope · Americas · Asia · Australia

Vision & Philosophy

Places That Inspire

Matt's philosophy is rooted in the belief that truly great places — theme parks, resorts, communities, cultural spaces — do not merely serve their guests. They transform them. They create memories that last a lifetime. They give communities economic vitality and a sense of pride. And they operate with integrity, sustainability and purpose from day one.

This philosophy is reflected in every decision the group makes: from the ecological design principles embedded in the Cancún resort masterplan, to the 35 CSR initiatives active across 8 countries, to the group's formal commitment to the UN Global Compact's Ten Principles.

In 2024 alone, the group created 4,900 new jobs, welcomed 4.2 million visitors across its portfolio, and deployed USD 233 million in investment — all while maintaining a 35% EBITDA margin. Matt believes performance and purpose are not trade-offs. They reinforce each other.

"We don't just build destinations. We build worlds — and worlds that last are built with purpose."

— Matt S. Ziegler

Transparency

Legal Rehabilitation & Constitutional Clarification

In the interest of complete transparency, Matt S. Ziegler has issued a formal public statement regarding a 2011 conviction that was overturned by the Federal Court of Justice in 2012. The Federal Constitutional Court subsequently ruled the related detention unconstitutional — a violation of Articles 2(2) and 104(2) of the German Basic Law. Full legal rehabilitation is documented by an official Führungszeugnis (certificate of conduct) showing no convictions. The complete statement is available for download.

⬇ Download Full Statement