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Belize's New Brand & Marketing Agency

It's not been widely reported but for the first time in a very long while tourism arrival figures for the month of May were down. The experts say it's no cause for panic really, but there is a creeping fear that it could be the first sign of a trend. Which is why Belize tourism product and the industry's confidence in that product is in desperate need of a jump start to raise hopes about sagging arrival figures. And the Tourism Board hopes that signing on with a new marketing firm is that shot in the arm. It's no lightly made move or slight manoeuvre; it is bold, the last marketing company retained Richartz, Fliss, Clarke and Pope shepherded Belize's tourism product through the last 10 years, from 1998 to 2008. But with a new government and new realities in the travel and leisure industry, particularly in North America the BTB figured it was time for a change and they introduced that today.

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=11925&frmsrch=1

No cause for panic? Well, hate to tell them this, but Caye Caulker is in a panic.

When the BTB stops issuing reports on tourism arrivals, you know that the data isn't too positive.

--Lan Sluder

It doesn't instill confidence in the agency when they display geographic scenes and flora and fauna in their campaign that aren't even in Belize, same problem last year. It looks cheap and thought less when the advertising people display photography taken in Mexico and the South Pacific to depict Belize.Advertisers for the resort hotels are just as guilty. Divers know the lionfish is native to the tropical Pacific region of the world, Clownfish are native to waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, Macaws don't fly around on the Beaches they live deep in the rain forest and almost everyone knows Chitzen Itza is in Mexico.
.
It shows they are either ignorant of Belize or to low budget to take real photos of the country they are supposed to be marketing.
We have a unique product and it should be shown as such.

I felt the winds of change September 2007, when inquiries and reservations country-wide were down, just from listening to the chatter on the net and from our own experience. And no amount of wishing on my fairy godmother could change the fact that the U.S. economy is in the toilet. What business is recession-proof? I was on Cozumel Easter week this year and it was very slow also. I have a friend in Hawaii who has told me that this has been her worst year in business. The U.S. economy affects tourism worldwide.
The BTB should change their agency every couple of years anyway, for new and innovative input, the agency will work hard to impress, and won't get lazy. Its just like changing presidents, prime ministers, and political parties every couple of years. Time for a change, I agree. Bravo to the BTB for making this bold move. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
I don't see anybody crying over this decision.

Typically the BTB changes ad/PR agencies each time the government changes, and sometimes more frequently. I've been reporting on Belize tourism for 18 years and have watched four or five agencies come and go.

I have to say all of them have been mediocre at best. Some have been barely competent. (I'm not including the new agency, with which I haven't dealt yet except to get a couple of emails from them about six weeks ago.)

I think Marty Casado here has done more to promote Belize tourism than all the BTB efforts combined.

--Lan Sluder

amen

Totally agree.

Some one is reading minds or what?
Belize Tourism Board
64 Regent Street
Belize City
Tel: + 501-227-2420
Fax: + 501-227-2423
Website: www.travelbelize.org
E-mail: [email protected]


BVK Photo Image Invite

BVK, Belize's new Marketing & Public Relations Agency is pleased to invite members of Belize's private sector who are interested in submitting their favorite Belize photo images for possible use in the marketing and public relations initiatives.

Industry stakeholders wishing to share their images are asked to kindly have the rights to these images formally released to the BTB and BVK for inclusion in the Belize image library. All images submitted must also be of high resolution quality.
All submissions can be made through Lorena Martinez, Marketing Officer at the Belize Tourism Board at [email protected].

For more information on the developments and events in Belize's tourism industry, please contact the Marketing Department at the Belize Tourism Board at (501)-223-1913, via e-mail: [email protected] or visit us at our website www.travelbelize.org

My big mouth just got me committed to submit some photos. I'm going to take this seriously and enjoy creating some photography they can use.I'm renting a car and driving around Belize in Sept. Its a slow month in the diving business and a time to take time off. I'm getting a new 10megpix underwater camera Sunday and have the D-80 for above the surface.
Belize is a unique place and one of the most beautiful places in the World. I think I'll take a picture.