B.T.I.A. Launches Theme for 21st Edition of Destination Belize
Destination Belize, the go-to magazine for potential visitors to Belize, will be launched later this year. But today, the Belize Tourism Industry Association released a theme that intends to attract visitors to experience the unique attributes of the country, from the friendliness of the people to keeping the environment safe. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody.
Duane Moody, Reporting
“Reef to Rainforest, People to People: Our Green Belize” – was the theme selected, and shared during a launched today, for the twenty-first edition of Destination Belize. The magazine highlights all things Belize – from historical aspects to culture and the environment within the length and breadth of the country. Executive Director of the B.T.I.A., John Burgos says that the new edition will feature conservation efforts and a sustainable tourism destination.
John Burgos
John Burgos, Executive Director, B.T.I.A.
“As you know the B.T.I.A. promotes the sustainable development of the tourism industry since its inception in 1985, so basically we are going to be trying to capture what has been done from the inception of the B.T.I.A. and the inception of the tourism industry. You look around us, you have a lot marine reserves, we have a lot of forest reserves, we have a world heritage site that has been removed from the in danger list; we have a moratorium on offshore oil exploration, we have an initiative to banning gillnets. There are a lot of success stories. We have a world renowned jaguar corridor reserve. These are the things that we need to showcase a little bit more. I think we don’t give ourselves enough credit and we don’t show that to the world.”
The publication, which is available in print locally in Belize and is distributed by the Belize Tourism Board internationally, is also available online in English and Spanish. A team of Belizean and international writers as well as a creative director has joined the process for a second year and will be tasked with putting together the material that will be showcased in the upcoming magazine. The new edition will be officially launched in early October.
Gale Malic-Ozaeta
Gale Malic-Ozaeta, Project Manager, Destination Belize
“For decades, the management had always been outsourced. Since the twentieth edition launched October 2018, B.T.I.A. has been managing the publication in house and so we are very proud of the twenty-first edition because for us this is our second publication. The theme for the upcoming edition will celebrate Belize as a green destination. A destination passionate about its environment, its communities and its visitors, making a positive impact on their trips through stories and vibrant images. This edition will focus on Belize’s incredible offerings as a sustainable tourism escape. Beyond conserving our heritage and culture, we are passionate about nurturing and safekeeping our natural habitats and maintaining our communities and their way of life.”
While looking at global tourism trends that travellers and tourists seek when planning their vacations, Burgos says that the snapshots and stories within the publication will appeal to the expectations of Belizeans and international visitors.
John Burgos
“We have a more conscious travellers. Travellers that are aware of the issues affecting our planet, our environment, our waters, deforestation, fires. I mean you look at the news, you see all the negatives; the real things that are happening. So the majority of the travellers are understanding and cognizant of those facts so they are trying to look at where do I go where I am not going to have that impact; where is the new destination? And also it goes into the experience; people wanna get to know the people. People don’t understand how warm our people are, how unique our cultures are.”
The twentieth edition of Destination Belize is available at the B.T.I.A. and entry points at B.T.B. kiosks as well as online. Duane Moody for News Five.
