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Posted By: Marty 11th ANNUAL TOURISM INDUSTRY PRESENTATION - 04/18/09 10:01 PM
From the Belize Tourism Board...

The Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture and The Belize Tourism Board Cordially invites the general public to the

11th ANNUAL INDUSTRY PRESENTATION

Date: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Place: Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza
Time: 9:00 A.M. (Seating at 8:30 A.M.)

Keynote Address: Shannon Stowell,
President - Adventure Travel Trade Association

RSVP: Joycelyn Mckoy, 227-2420 ext. 255 or E-mail: [email protected]
Posted By: Marty Re: 11th ANNUAL TOURISM INDUSTRY PRESENTATION - 04/21/09 05:00 AM

The Belize Tourism will be hosting the 9th Annual National Tourism Awards on April 22, 2009 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina. The event will be an exceptional event where industry stakeholders, distinguished guests and tourism friends will gather to recognize organizations and persons who have committed to the development of tourism in Belize.

A total of 14 awards will be presented at this prestigious award ceremony with nominations received in each of the following categories:

  • * Cultural Award of the Year for extensive accomplishment in promoting and preserving Belize's cultural heritage.
  • * Educational Organization of the Year for providing insight on the significance of tourism to Belize's economy.
  • * Corporate Organization of the Year for offering a unique and spellbound Belizean product or service recognized locally and internationally.
  • * Environmental Organization of the Year for leadership in the conservation and preservation of Belize's natural resources.
  • * Receptive Service of the Year capturing the essence of warmth and Belizean hospitality with excellent service.
  • * Small Hotel of the Year for offering outstanding facilities and amenities and having the ability to provide visitors with a true sample of the Belize brand.
  • * Hotel of the Year offering a gateway to paradise, where service exceeds excellence, engulfed with positive attitude and attentiveness of staff, offers exceptional value for money, has outstanding facilities and amenities, remarkable ambience, innovation and the ability to provide visitors with a true sample of the Belize brand.
  • * Tour Operator of the Year offering a variety of tours that excel in service, marketing, creativity, uniqueness, safety and value for money.
  • * Tour Guide of the Year with the ability to mesmerize an audience with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
  • * Frontline Person of the Year with the ability to welcome guests with great Belizean hospitality, and is well versed about the Belize product.
  • * Small Vendor of the Year with the ability to offer creative and quality products with exceptional service.

Amongst the awards being given, a new category has been added this year - Restaurant of the Year Award. With this new category included, restaurants throughout Belize will have the opportunity to be recognized as a top restaurant within the tourism industry. Those nominated for this award are restaurants that offer a dining experience and not just a meal with routine service. The ambiance is bliss, the menu offers diversity and the service is exceptional. In addition to those criteria, the personality of the restaurant has to be as distinct as the staff is professional.

The Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mr. Manuel Herrera Jr., will have the honor to present the Minister's Award in which he independently chooses a tourism personnel or entity recognizing their distinguished services and contributions in the tourism industry.

In addition to the Minister choosing a personnel or entity for the Minister's Award, the Tourism Awards Selection Committee will have the opportunity to single out an individual who has been active in the tourism industry and who has shown tremendous dedication and commitment in the development of tourism in Belize.

The Awards Selection Committee consists of representatives from the Belize Tourism Board, the Belize Hotel Association and the Belize Tourism Industry Association. The National Tourism Awards is held annually to honor organizations and persons whose performance continues to characterize distinction, comprehensive industriousness, and thus worthy of merit and recognition.

Ambergris Today
Posted By: Marty Re: 11th ANNUAL TOURISM INDUSTRY PRESENTATION - 04/23/09 03:34 PM

11TH ANNUAL INDUSTRY PRESENTATION SHOWCASED TODAY BY THE BTB

April 22, 2009

The Ministry of Tourism through the Belize Tourism Board today held its eleventh annual industry presentation at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza. The annual event outlines the accomplishments of the Tourism Ministry for the previous year and the plans for the year ahead. But this year's presentation was done amidst the concerns of the global financial crisis and declining tourism arrivals in the region.

Manuel Heredia; Minister of Tourism

"While a lot of what has come to pass in the global economy could have been reasonably anticipated not many people could have predicted the scale at which this economic recession has affected both developed and developing nations. While we cannot say that Belize has been unaffected by this far reaching global economic downturn we are very proud of the fact that our tourism product which you all have worked so hard to grow has shown such admirable resilience. Indeed, while many other countries in the region are face with double digit decline in tourist arrivals, mass layoff of workers, closures of some hotels and increasing pressure to subsidize we have feared off relatively well."  

And while we have fared off relatively well, the budget for the next fiscal year includes new initiatives aimed at improving the tourism product and was presented by Director of Tourism, Tracy Panton.

Tracy Panton; Director of Tourism

"Tourism revenue estimates for this fiscal year are projected at 15.6 million dollars; a marginal decrease of 5% over the budgeted projection in the last fiscal period. We factored in a 5 to 8 decline in tourism expenditure should the present economic condition prevail. 74% of the projected revenues are to be generated from the hotel accommodation taxes, 14% through cruise ship passengers and 4% from the contributions made by time share facilities in accordance with the newly instituted time share act, 3% hotel tax assessment and 5% from other revenue centers. As it related to the BTB estimate $100,000 have been set aside for capital expenditure, 3.9 million dollars for finance and administrative expenditure, 3.7 million dollars for investment in the tourism product and hotels and 8.1 million dollars for investments, marketing and public relations. This adds up to a total of about 16 million dollars. You will note that there is a small deficit of some $600,000 anticipated this year. This short fall will be met from additional revenues to be generated from outstanding tax assessments that we are now vigorously pursuing through court action for more than twice the value of the projected deficit."

At least fifty percent of this year's tourism budget will be invested in marketing the improved tourism product.

Tracy Panton; Director of Tourism

"There are four major tourism portfolios of the BTB; marketing and public relations which represent 50% of our investment for this year. This is 2% more than the last fiscal period. Product development and hotels represents 24% of the overall investment this year. Finance and administration represents 25%. Administrative costs have been decreased by 2% over the last fiscal period and capital expenditure accounting for 1% of the board's investment.  There are several new initiatives to be undertaken within the four investment portfolios; in addition to the regular activities financed each year. Under the marketing and finance portfolio, in addition to our current programs in North America more emphasis will be placed on our secondary markets. These are; Canada, Europe, Central America and Mexico. Strategic partnerships will be perused with internationally recognized organizations to bolster Belize's leadership in sustainable tourism development."

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Manuel Heredia today reiterated the commitment of his government toward the continued development of tourism in Belize. He also highlighted some of the accomplishments so far.

Manuel Heredia; Minister of Tourism

"I pledge my continued commitment to listen to all of your concerns and I especially look forward to receiving constructive suggestions and ideas as to how we can continue making positive strides. Tourism continues to be held among the highest priority areas by this government in terms of government policies and visions. You have our assurance that every possible resource will be directed to continue pursuing economic growth in this sector. Let us take a look at some of the work that we have accomplished so far. In 2008 we negotiated with IDB securing funds for infrastructural projects in various parts of the country. A portion of these funds will also be used for the long awaited National Tourism Master Plan. A home grown Aviation Committee was formed whose overall goal is to improve accessing airline routes and to attract new air services to Belize. The ministry continues the arduous task of putting together the legislative framework to foster new and emerging top sectors such as recreational vessels and responsible tourism. Our dialogue continues with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and other government agencies and departments to put in place a fiscal incentive regime that is easier to access by stake holders."

The Belize Tourism Board today acknowledged the support of the public and private sector partners who have and continue to support the growth of the Belize Tourism Product. This year's industry presentation was held under the theme, "Be One with Belize."

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