Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation attends SICA meetings in Panama

The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., the Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Mrs. Shakira Tsai, and the Director of Product Development, Mrs. Laura Frampton, traveled to Panama from March 31st – April 2nd to partake in regional meetings with the  Central American Tourism Council (CATC) an organ of Sistema de la Integración  Centroamericana (SICA) .

While in Panama, Minister Heredia attended a presentation of an awareness campaign entitled "Mucho Gusto Central America".  This presentation was hosted by the European Union through SICA and portrayed public awareness which focused on promoting Central American people in the region and highlighting their talents and accomplishments.  Belize was also prominently featured in the television campaign which will air throughout Central America.

The Marketing Director, Mrs. Tsai, attended technical meetings where discussions centered on regional marketing, as well as future marketing initiatives in the Central American and European markets. The President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Dionne Miranda, was also on hand and participated in the meetings where she assumed the presidency of FEDECATUR, the Regional Tourism Private Sector Association.

The objectives of CATC are to:
 (i)  Develop and promote regional products related to the tourism cultural routes,
(ii)  Introduce technical tools for planning and developing tourism at a national and regional level,
(iii) Strengthen promotion, marketing strategies and the Central American Tourism Agency (CATA) and
(iv) Build support the small and medium sized tourism enterprises in seeking better opportunities for financing, training and promotion of regional supplies and products.