Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
Last night was the 13th National Tourism Awards. The Annual National Tourism Awards has brought out the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow along with Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. A night for the celebration of tourism excellence, on "La Isla Bonita" Ambergris Caye.

Congratulations to all the winners....

CONGRATULATIONS again Mrs. Celi McCorkle on her Special Recognition!

Receiving the first ever "Celi McCorkle Award" is the late Mr. Gerald McDermott.

Congratulations Ms. Mariam Roberson on receiving this year's Minister's Award!!

CONGRATULATIONS to the "San Pedro Lobster Festival" on winning the "Major Events and Festivals"!

And the "Small Hotel of the Year" goes to Table Rock Lodge! CONGRATULATIONS!

And the WINNER of the "Hospitality Award" goes to one of Belize's most aesthetic resort/hotel, CONGRATULATIONS, San Ignacio Resort Hotel!

The WINNER of the "Cruise Tour Operator" goes to� "Calypso Train Tours"! Congratulations to you and may you continue to pave the way for excellence!

"Tour Guide of the Year" recognizes an outstanding guide whose daily efforts makes the satisfaction of travelers a top priority! CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Desmond Ramirez of Belcampo on a job WELL DONE!

Belize is blessed with numerous foodie spots countrywide and this year we recognize the Guava Limb Caf� at Chaa Creek as the "Restaurant of the Year"!! Their delectable foods have been top choice of many! Keep making magic, and CONGRATULATIONS!!

"Hotel of the Year" is another prestigious award, and it goes too� Gaia River Lodge! CONGRATULATIONS!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Roberto Guerra of "La Beliza Resort" on the recognition as the "Frontline Person of the Year"! You deserve it!

We say CONGRATULATIONS to Ian Anderson's Cave Branch Jungle Lodge and Adventure Co. who are the WINNERS of the "Tour Operator of the Year"!! Your hard work and aim for excellence is one that is most admirable! Keep up the great work!!

And the WINNER of the "Cruise Tour Guide of the Year" is "Darknight Cave Adventure"! Congratulations Mr. Axel Chavin, keep up the excellent work!

CONGRATULATIONS to Hickatee Cottages on being recognized as the "Guesthouse of the Year"! Keep up the great work guys!

For photos and more information, click here!

Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

The 2015 Tourism Industry Conference held at San Pedro Town

The 2015 Tourism Industry Conference was held at San Pedro Town over the weekend and saw a shift in the way the event is normally carried. The all-day event featured two panel discussions including Service Excellence and Tourism Digital Marketing.


13th National Tourism Awards Recognizes Belize's Best
The Belize Tourism Board held its 13th National Tourism Awards on Saturday, August 1st in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The event had a grand turn out with guest converging from all corners of the country for this gala event. Distinguished guests included the Prime Minister, Honorable Dean Barrow, Ambassador of Taiwan, H.E. Benjamin Ho, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, & Civil Aviation Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. among others. The event began with a cocktail reception, following seating of guests to commence the festivities. Nominees were all well represented and showed up in full force anticipating the results of the judging process. This year, the list of categories had increased to 11 with a total of 57 nominations.

The 2015 Belize Tourism Board Winners Are Announced at The San Pedro Holiday Hotel
Ok, ok, so I wasn't actually there. Not invited to be exact. But last night, the 2015 Belize Tourism Board Winners were announced at the Holiday Hotel and Miss Celi McCorkle was celebrated for her extensive role in ushering tourism to Belize. Here she is with her special recognition award. 2015 Best Guesthouse: Hickatee Cottages in Punta Gorda, Belize. One of my favorite spots on earth. And my friend Yoli, from Parrot's Cove in Hopkins, collecting on Kate and Ian's behalf. (Yoli was also nominated for Best Front Line.) Congratulations! 2015 Hotel/Resort of the Year went to Gaia River Lodge. I have never been but was just in the area (the Pine Ridge in Cayo, Western Belize) and I hear it is absolutely spectacular. 2015 Restaurant of the Year went to Guava Limb Cafe in San Ignacio, Belize! I just spent the last week gushing about their gorgeous FRESH food and the lovely setting - my #1 pick in San Ignacio is confirmed. Lovely LOVELY spot.

Judging the 2015 Belize Tourism Board awards and the big party
This year I was selected by the Quality Assurance team to be a judge for the 13th annual Belize Tourism Board Awards. It was an enjoyable and challenging job, but a great learning experience. There were 5 of us who traveled the country going to resorts, restaurants and tour companies scoring them on a set of questions they had answered and for the most part had already turned in. I was asked to judge one resort and two dive shops on Ambergris Caye and then fly over to Caye Caulker to score two tour companies there. A member of the Quality Assurance team was sent with each judge to monitor the interviews. The team member with me was Vanessa Jacobs. I met her at Tropic Air and off we went. As we interviewed the different businesses, I learned something new and interesting about each one and how they operate.

San Pedro Town hosts the 13th National Tourism Awards
It is known as the grandest event of the year for The Belize Tourism Board, and on Saturday August 1st, the San Pedro Holiday Hotel hosted the 13th National Tourism Awards. Tourism stakeholders from all across the country were seated beachside on La Isla Bonita as they awaited the announcement of the winners of the evening. Joining the celebrations was Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and his wife, Special Envoy for Belize Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. Eiden Salazar Jr. and Indira Craig were the amiable MCs for the evening, getting the show underway after the singing of the National Anthem and a short prayer. With categories ranging from Guesthouse of the Year, to Hotel of the Year, Minister's Award, Festival of the Year and more, there were many prizes to be handed out. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye was nominated in several categories, but standout winner of the night was the San Pedro Lobster Festival. Organizer Rebecca Arceo graciously thanked the San Pedro Business Association and volunteers who work diligently year after year to ensure that the festival takes place. San Pedro's festival is unique in that it is about the food - challenging restaurants and chefs to come up with creative ways to present the lobster for a panel of judges. In the meantime, revelers at the Block Party have ample opportunities to taste and decide for themselves. The festival has garnered quite the following, with repeat visitors making plans a year in advance to make it to the festival again and again. Congratulations to the San Pedro Lobster Festival!


On Saturday, August 1st, the 2015 Belize Tourism Awards was held at the Holiday Hotel in beautiful Ambergris Caye (Belize's most popular tourist destination). A better location couldn't have been chosen since the reception venue was celebrating 50 years of being in business. This is a big deal in Belize because the travel industry is still very young and the tourism pioneers had to fight with tooth and nail to make things work. To this very day there is still not enough recognition by the government of tourisms important role in the economy. But enough about that, the 2015 award winners deserve the exposure and all the congratulations.

Front-line person of the year

Roberto Guerra of�La Beliza Resort�won the award of frontline person of the year. This honour goes to an individual who always puts the happiness of visitors and their experiences, before themselves. It is usually given to individuals such as bartenders, servers, and front desk staff.

Tour guide of the year

Desmond Ramirez of Belcampo Lodge won the award for tour guide of the year. This award is given to a tour guide that demonstrates exceptional knowledge of the Belize's natural attractions and it's history,�culture and heritage. They give each guest an unforgettable vacation experience through exceptional leadership.

Cruise tour guide of the year

Axel Chavin of Dark Night Cavetubing Adventure won the award for cruise tour guide of the year. This award category is new this year and its purpose is to recognize tour guides who do exceptional work in the cruise industry.

Tour operator of the year

Caves Branch won the Tour Operator of the Year. This award is an affirmation of the positive and vital role of good tour operators in Belize.�Priority�is placed in providing superb excursions, excellent customer service, and most importantly, the safety of guests; which in return gives every tourist an unmatched vacation experience.

Cruise tour operator of the year

Calypso Train Tours won the Cruise Tour Operator of the Year. This award category is new this year and its purpose is to highlight the important role that cruise tourism has in the overall promotion of Belize as a destination.

Restaurant of the year

The Guava Limb Caf� won the restaurant of the year award. This honour is given to a restaurant which has demonstrated to surpass other food establishments by providing a wonderful dining experience through exceptional food, creative concoctions, and excellent customer service.

Guest House of the year

Hickatee Cottages won the guesthouse of the year award. This award is new this year - it has been separated from the small hotel of the year category. The focus is to recognize the important role of bed and breakfast accommodations.

Small hotel of the year

Table Rock Lodge received the small hotel of the year award. This award is given to a boutique hotel which�strays from the ordinary�but respects the elements that make Belize a unique destination. The hotel and staff must illustrate eco-consciousness, character and innovation.

Hotel of the year

Gaia River Lodge received the hotel of the year award. This honour recognizes a hotel that exceeds excellence in all forms - a true example to other hotels in Belize. Perfect ambience, the staff offers exceptional service and positive attitude, facilities and amenities are outstanding, and each visitor experiences the�best of what Belize has to offer.

Festival of the year

The San Pedro lobsterfest won the award for festival of the year. This award is given to the best Belize festival that has achieved the most success by showcasing the country's rich diversity and culture. This celebration should give visitors an amazing experience of everything that represents Belize.

Minister's award

Miriam Robertson received the Minister's Award. This award is for an individual singled out by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, for a consistent portrayal of community improvement, activism and achievements in the travel industry of Belize.

Mrs. Celi McCorkle award

Previously known as the lifetime achievement award, the late Mr. Gerald "Jerry" McDermott won the Mrs. Celi McCorkle award. This award is given to a person who is bold enough to take risks and gloriously leads in the development of tourism in Belize. They are selfless individuals who strive to improve not only their environment but the lives of everyone around them.

Hospitality award

The San Ignacio Hotel received the hospitality award. This award is given to a tourism business that offers exceptional service, plays a crucial role in the advancement of the travel industry and offers an authentic Belizean experience. Employees love working for this company and it reflects in how guests are treated.



Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 251 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,199
Posts500,011
Members20,460
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5