I am a Belizean Traveller! You Can Be Too!!

Today, the Belize Tourism Board officially launched its 2021 Belizean Traveller Campaign to promote domestic travel across the country. Over the past year, local travelling has been the lifeblood of the tourism industry shattered by the pandemic in early 2020. So as tourism activity rebounds, industry stakeholders are making sure that Belizeans at home take advantage of great deals and experience being Belizean travellers. News Five’s Director Karla Heusner reports.

Karla Heusner, Reporting

The Belize Tourism Board has teamed up with the Belize Hotel Association for the 2021 Belizean Traveller Campaign, but this time around, the influencers include media and TV personalities, a social media sensation and a well-known chef.  While the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the tourism industry, it also highlighted the need to strengthen domestic travel.

Michelle Bowers

Michelle Bowers, Marketing Advisor, Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations

“It is imperative that we also encourage locals to enjoy our wonderful legacy. B.T.B.’s hope is that many Belizeans will have an opportunity to enjoy our diverse amenities and activities through the attractive packages being offered as a part of this year’s campaign.”

Evan Tillett

Evan Tillett, Chairman, Belize Tourism Board

“Domestic tourism is and should be an integral part of the plans of all industry stakeholders. The World Travel and Tourism Council 2018 publication on the impact and importance of domestic tourism highlighted that domestic tourism remains the leading form of tourism and accounted for seventy-three percent of the total tourism spend.”

Ted Tejada

Ted Tejada, President, Belize Hotel Association

“COVID-19 has come to teach me that we have a beautiful country. It practically, physically closed every single border around the world and it forced us to look within our backyard. We have the most beautiful country in the world.”

News Five’s own Duane Moody is among five influencers selected to travel to the six regions of the country. They will document their adventures–day trips, overnight stays, horseback riding, cave tubing and cultural immersion.

Duane Moody

Duane Moody, Belizean Traveller 2021

“We’re going to really just show people what Belize has to offer. It’s just to show people that your every day person can take these trips and you don’t need to have big bank accounts, you don’t need to have big money to do it.”

Thamar Jones

Thamar Jones, Belizean Traveller 2021

“I get to travel in the most beautiful country in the world and the country we are all lucky enough to call home, Belize.”

Sean Kuylen

Sean Kuylen, Belizean Traveller 2021

“I have travelled this country many times over; every district, every culture; this is my daily life. I’ve done it under many capacities. I was once a musician. I was – if I borrow a term from Jamaica right, Simone’s country – I was a sketel on Griga Boys and Punta Rebels long time ago. And now I am a chef and I continue to travel my country.”

Olajuwon Cadle

Olajuwon Cadle, Belizean Traveller 2021

“I was very much for it because my father is a tour guide and there is definitely the need for local and domestic tourism being that international tourism isn’t as prosperous as it was before.”

Benjamin Flowers

Benjamin Flowers, Belizean Traveller 2021

“My job on this campaign to visit the Southeast Coast and to communicate with the people reading and looking at our videos, telling them my stories and the journey that I had and with any luck we are hoping that we can get more travellers to go and experience these places so that they can have stories of their own to tell and share.”

By following the influencers on their various social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and TikTok – as well as the Belizean Travellers Facebook page, Belizeans can get information on special deals on belizebooking.com for resorts, hotels and tours.

Jocelle Stephen

Jocelle Stephen, Marketing & Industry Relations Manager, B.T.B.

“Our Belizean Traveller Facebook page and those of our influencers will be used to promote the campaign via social posts, video diaries and of course some fun trivia. Influencers’ takeovers and Facebook polls will also be used to further engage our audiences. Storytelling of experiences will be shared via dedicated news segments as we tap into the broadcast media. Affordable rates will be a must for this year’s campaign and for this reason; we have joined hands with key industry partners.”

Karla Heusner for News Five.