Belize Tourism Expo: Belize to the World
If the numbers for tourist arrivals are anything to go by, Belize hardly needs help marketing the tourism product. But the industry is not one for sitting on its laurels – there are always new visitors to charm, new things to introduce, new ways to make money. The bi-annual Belize Tourism Expo is intended to reach new clients in the press and among international operators interested in selling Belize to the world. News Five’s Aaron Humes stopped by the S.C.A. Multipurpose Center this afternoon.
Aaron Humes, Reporting
Belize’s Tourism Expo is about connections – between holiday-makers and holiday-takers, and between Belize and the world.
John Burgos
John Burgos, Executive Director, B.T.I.A.
“The main objective of the Belize Tourism Expo, BETEX 2017, is to try to create that partnership between local service providers and international agents and by agents, I mean tour operators, destination management agencies, travel agents – all these individuals have specific clientele that they cater to so now they are showing us interest that they want to sell Belize and they want to bring more tourists to Belize. So what BETEX does is to provide that opportunity for them to meet and greet and decide how best they can partner for the future.”
Programme for Belize is better known for conservation than tourism; but according to manager Ramon Pacheco, a presence here helps them with both.
Ramon Pacheco
Ramon Pacheco, Manager, Programme for Belize
“Here at the Expo, what people come to do, the clients, the buyers – they come and check out what services we provide; they leave their contact information and then it is our responsibility, our tourism unit will have to follow up with them to see whether a deal, an arrangement can be made with the client. So today is more of getting to know each other; seeing what type of services the suppliers have, like Programme for Belize and what kinds of services can match with the buyers.”
Reporter
“What kind of clients have you been getting?”
Ramon Pacheco
“A lot of our persons who visit the desk are interested in nature; in bird-watching, in archaeology in general nature stuff, nature activities, so I think we will get a number of good leads from those who visited the booth.”
Among the many resorts dotting the Placencia Peninsula, Larubeya Resort carries a particular vibe and stand-out, according to manager Ed Cardinez.
Edsel Cardinez, Front Desk Manager, Larubeya Resort
“What makes us really stand out is the customer service – untouchable. Especially we have the full works when it comes to all-inclusive reports, hotels as well and also it’s a family vacation too. So we offer single, couple, honeymoon and also a large family.”
Edsel Cardine
Reporter
“In terms of what you’re expecting out of this event?”
Edsel Cardinez, Front Desk Manager, Larubeya Resort
“More business; much more to increase the tourism business in Placencia and the country of Belize so that Belize is actually sold out there, so that we can get more clients from internationally to come and experience what the country has to offer.”
Aaron Humes reporting for News Five.
The expo concludes on Friday but there are additional press tours for the international scribes early next week.
