B.T.B. upbeat as tourism rebounds
With two hundred and forty-two million dollars in revenues representing eighteen percent of the nation’s gross domestic product spread over all six districts, the tourism industry can make a credible claim to being Belize’s single most important economic activity. Today the people who co-ordinate efforts to attract visitors to our shores and keep them happy once they reach here, offered an assessment of where things may be headed.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
The Belize Tourism Board this morning held its fourth annual Industry Presentation at the Princess Hotel in Belize City. It’s a time when Belize’s fastest growing economic sector takes stock of its achievements and charts a way forward.
In delivering the welcome address, Tourism Minister Mark Espat reminded the gathering that tourism is truly a community product.
Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism
“The sum of an experience called Belize, where each citizen can make a difference in this product cycle, ours is an industry unconfined to a grove or a plantation, unlimited to a factory, essentially people centred. I welcome all Belizeans joining us today in person or by radio broadcast, unconnected professionally to the tourism sector as they may be, yet requisite to its ultimate success.”
The ultimate success of the industry was summed up with a year in pictures.
Mark Espat
“More than any other industry, tourism demands partnership. If we cannot work with the community, if we cannot work with the private sector, if we cannot work with civil society, it is very difficult for us to achieve success. And I think the proudest accomplishment for our team at the B.T.B. is the relationship we have with the tourism private sector.”
In presenting the 2002-2003 budget and work plan, Tourism Director Tracy Taegar says today’s a proud moment for an industry which has bounced back from four hurricanes and the tragedy of September eleventh.
Tracy Taegar, Director of Tourism
“The 2002-2003 work plan, “Designing Workable Solutions for the Future”, has taken into account market trends and has incorporated the suggestions and recommendations of the private sector in our effort to engage in more efficient corporation. The budget: total revenue projections for 2002-2003 are estimated at nine point three million dollars, a record investment in our tourism history. Revenue projections have been calculated at a ten percent increase over last year’s collections.”
A major development for Belize’s tourism was also welcomed this morning when Espat announced that U.S. Air will begin flights into Belize in November.
Mark Espat
“For us it’s a giant step forward. The eastern coast market that U.S. Airways is so proficient in is the single largest producing area for international travellers to the Caribbean. We feel that it will bring tremendous opportunities for Belize for tourism as well as Belizeans. And so we are quite please that we were able to sign this agreement with U.S. Airways.”
According to U.S. Air’s Geographic Revenue Manager, Susan Mrachek, the world’s eleventh largest air carrier has three hubs, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Charlotte.
Susan Mrachek, Geographic Revenue Manager, U.S. Air
“Charlotte gives you connections to about fifty other cities beyond Charlotte. So we thought it was the best vein for the buck in regard to choosing which hub to carry the people to.”
The new service will begin with twice weekly flights in a one hundred and twenty passenger Airbus 319 and if traffic warrants, could quickly rise to four. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The B.T.B.’s budget, the bulk of which is used for marketing and promotion, is financed primarily through collection of the seven percent tax on hotel rooms. The video review of the B.T.B.’s 2001 operations will be aired tonight immediately following Caribbean Headline News.
