Belize Hosts Fourth International Media Tour for Fiscal Year 2005/2006





Belize City, Monday, March 20th, 2006. Representatives from various media houses in the United States were in Belize last week for a seven day tour of the country.



The media's itinerary took them first to Belize City, where they were hosted to a dinner presentation and a cultural dance. They then headed to Bermudian Landing where they got to witness first hand the third stage of the La Ruta Maya River Challenge. Also in their itinerary was a trip to one of the most scenic areas of Belize, Cayo District, where they engaged in a tour of the iguana hatchery, horseback riding, and a tour of Caracol Maya Site. Then, it was off to the southern area of Belize, Toledo, where they were treated to dinner and cultural entertainment, a guided tour of Lubaantun and a caving expedition at Blue Creek. The last leg of their itinerary took them to La Isla Bonita - San Pedro Ambergris Caye where they had the opportunity to do a sunset sailboat tour of the island, and get an introduction of the reef while snorkeling Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Marine Reserve. A quick stop was also made in Bomba Village before the group departed for the US.



The group of eight represented a combination of various magazines in the United States, namely Santa Barbara Magazine (circulation 208,000), In Style Magazine (circulation 1,670,792), Cosmopolitan Magazine (circulation 3,021,720), Diversion Magazine (circulation 179,341), Better Homes and Garden (circulation 7,602,575), Family Fun (circulation 1,744,252), San Francisco Chronicle (circulation 391,681), Boston Globe (circulation 414,225), New York Post (circulation 662,681), New York Times (1,126,190), New York Magazine (circulation 500,000), Pathfinders Travel Magazine (circulation 150,000), New York Times (circulation 1,126,190), Brides (circulation 361,799), and Family Magazine (circulation 500,000).



"Awareness is crucial in a growing tourism industry such as Belize," comments Director of Tourism, Tracy Panton. "The unique eminence and diversity offered by our tourism product must incessantly be shared with our media partners. The exposure received by these kinds of initiatives contribute to the overall goal of international recognition, which leads to greater economic benefits for our stakeholders."



The media tour was organized by the Belize Tourism Board and its Marketing and Public Relations Firm, RFCP in New Jersey. Participating private sector partners included San Ignacio Hotel, S & L Travel, Duplooy's Jungle Lodge, Chaa Creek Eco-Lodge & Spa, Maya Island Air, The Lodge at Big Falls, El Pescador, Belize Tradewinds Paradise Villas, Sea-rious adventures, Elvi's Kitchen, Victoria House, Blue Water Grill, Aqua Dives, Ricos' Restaurant/Villas at Banyan Bay, Ramon's Village, and Mickey's Restaurant.