B.T.B. announces plans to boost tourism
Whether its accommodating eight hundred people off a cruise ship or eight people who want a personal tour guide for a trip to the zoo, the members of Belize’s tourist industry all want the same thing: for visitors to Belize to have the best time possible during their stay. And the new Belize Tourist Board not only has to assist the hoteliers and tour operators deliver a quality product, they also have to help attract tourists to Belize in the first place. Today the B.T.B. announced how it intends to do just that they also got feedback from the industry about how things are going.
Since its formation on November second, the new management team of the Belize Tourist Board has been working hard to formulate strategies to strengthen the industry and boost tourist arrivals. According to Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism, it is time to let the industry really work for us, to create quality jobs and deliver much needed investment throughout the country.
Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism
“The World Tourism Organizations’ 2020 vision projects that in that year, 2020, international arrivals worldwide will almost triple to one point six billion arrivals with tourism receipts quadrupling to over U.S. two trillion dollars from where they stand today.”
To make sure Belize gets its share of the pie, both the minister and his team have been meeting with tourism representatives in every district to listen to their concerns. To make Belize a world class tourist destination, Espat presented eight major tourism initiatives. Topping the list is a one million Belize dollar advertising campaign that will target the North American market, beginning next month.
Mark Espat
“The effort will be spearheaded by Belize Tourist Board with the support of a marketing agency of Clark and Pope of New York. This marks the very first time that any government of Belize will put it’s money where it’s mouth is, money to promote Belize and it’s tourism product outside of just hotel tax.”
Work will also be done to ensure that Belize is included throughout the region as a tourist destination.
Tracy Teager Garcia, Deputy Director, Marketing
“We will seek to create a distinct brand that will reflect the personality and the field of destination. We will pursue all available resources to ensure that Belize becomes an active and benefiting part of Central America and the Caribbean regional marketing initiatives. We will work with the private sector and other tourism stakeholders to ensure that a consistent integrated marketing approach is maintained.”
Back at home, provisions will be made that will encourage financial growth among tour operators and small hoteliers. Minister Espat says he intends to sign two statutory instruments, one to facilitate the licensing and operations of tour operators in the country and another enforcing minimum standards for the registration of hotels and resorts.
Mark Espat
“Furthermore, on January fourth, 1999, the Department of Transport will implement new rules for foreign intransit and charter buses that operate across Belize’s northern and western borders. They will be subject to an entrance fee and must comply with the same rules that our operators face when they go across the border.
To allow greater access to low interest and long term credit for tourism micro-enterprises, a credit window for tourism related projects has been established at both the small and business bank and the Development Finance Corporation of Belize.”
In addressing the hoteliers and tour operators, head of the new management team, Director of Tourism, Valerie Woods reminded them that in order for the team’s tourism development project to work, there must be a close working relationship with the private sector, especially when it comes to keeping tourism revenues at home.
Valerie Woods, Director, Tourism
“And we need to address that; we need to correct that; we need to make sure that foreign exchange earn, needs to stay in Belize, to benefit Belize. That’s the only way the product is going to develop and I invite you to participate in our efforts to make sure that this happens.”
But at this morning’s press conference, it was not only B.T.B.’s new management team putting forward their development plans, some tourist operators as well offered some suggestions of their own that they think will help to strengthen the industry.
Cpt. Nicholas Sanchez, Owner, Blast Tours
“We’ve got to tell these people when you talk about P.R., we got to start with P.R. in Belize City. We got to educate our people to leave our tourists alone; they don’t come here for them to molest them. They come here to have a good time.”
Tom Greenwood, Owner, Melmish Tours
“I strongly recommend minister, that for instance the one mile after the ferry from Xunantunich be given some very swift attention to at least get in shape for the next three months of hammering that it’s going to take.”
Also making presentations were Evan Tillett, B.T.B.’s Deputy Director of Finance and Administration and Pedro Perez the Deputy Director of Product development. B.T.B.’s management team promises to report to the industry every four months as they fulfill their commitment for accountability and transparency.
It was also announced that among the eight tourism initiatives a small hotels of Belize branch will be launched in an effort to revitalize Belize’s small hotel sector. Technical support will be given to over seventy-seven of these establishments in the areas of financing, training and management. Minister Espat said those hotels of under five rooms, as of April first, 1999, will no longer pay the seven percent hotel tax.
