Tourism Week May 5th-12th

Tourism
has become Belize’s biggest income earner. According to Tourism Minister
Mark Espat, the industry generated close to two hundred and fifty million
dollars last year. Starting May fifth through twelfth, a special week
of activities has been planned to celebrate the achievements of the tourism
industry.

Mark Espat, Min. of Tourism
“One week each year we try and focus the attention of the public on the
tourism industry, through educational programmes, debates and open houses.
It helps us to focus the nation on tourism, on the benefits of the industry
and the challenges that this national industry faces. So that is the genesis
of the Tourism Week and that is what we are hoping to do next week.”

Ann-Marie Williams
“What do you consider to be the highlight?”

Mark Espat
“There are many programmes going on, the week will kick off with a pageant
in Dangriga. We will have open houses in Corozal, Belize City, as well
as in Punta Gorda Town. We will have a debate between SJC and the Corozal
Community College. There are a lot of events taking place.”

Ann-Marie Williams
“Why should the public be concerned with Tourism Week?”

Mark Espat
“Unlike a lot of the other national industries, tourism is an industry
that really depends on all Belizeans to succeed. When a visitor arrives
at the International Airport, it is not just the hotel that he or she
is going to stay. But starting with the airline attendant, with the Immigration
and Customs Officer, the taxi driver, the person the tourist meets at
the restaurant, the tour guide; all of us are part of making tourism a
successful product. It’s really like a chain and we are all part of that
chain, we’re links in that chain. So I it think all of us have a stake
in it.” One of the activities for Tourism Week is a cultural and culinary
gala slated to cook up at the Radisson on Friday at 6:00 p.m.

Mark Espat
“We are bringing together different chefs to put together the best Belizean
dishes they can. We’re also bringing together Belizean bartenders to come
up with signature Belizean drinks. All of that will be highlighted with
cultural entertainment. We will have Mayan entertainment, we will have
Garifuna entertainment, Creole dishes. It will be a blend of the great
variety of cultures and the tourism product that Belize offers. It will
take place in Belize City. There are invitees from the industry, from
the public, people who have bought tickets and we’re looking forward to
it. It’s going to be a spectacular event.”

Proceeds from the cultural and culinary gala will go towards the Tourism
Industry Scholarship Fund.