Product Development Department Update:

Tourism Awards 2009

The best of the best in tourism will be recognized shortly by the tourism industry. The Belize Tourism Board is currently accepting nominations for exceptional individuals and service providers for the year 2008.

This year a new category has been added – "Restaurant of the Year".

 The "Environmental Organization of the Year" is being modified to include not only members of the NGO community, but all establishments 'going green' or engaged in sustainable tourism practices.

 The "Corporate Organization of the Year" is also being modified to include investors that have shown financial, social and environmental commitment to Belize.

All are welcome to nominate their favorite candidate via the web site: www.travelbelize.org/award09.php

Social Studies Quiz 2009

The Belize Tourism Board, as part of its annual educational program, is hosting a Social Studies Quiz competition at the primary level.The 2009competition is in full gear as the elimination stages have already begun for the Cayo District with other districts starting very soon.

Pioneers of Prosperity Award

Training

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS) conducted a four-day "Food and Beverage Management" workshop at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina. This workshop executed under the Capacity Building: Tourism Training and Certification Project, is one of several geared toward strengthening the capacity of small and medium tourism enterprises in Belize and the Caribbean by providing an opportunity to improve the human resource capacity through the delivery of skills training and internationally recognized certification to individuals presently employed as well as those desirous of being employed with in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Statistics

In 2008 overnight arrivals to Belize grew for the emerging Canadian market by over 6% while overall there was a 2.5% decrease. In the international arena, the skyrocketing oil prices, the world food crisis, the global financial crisis, recession in the United States leading to massive unemployment, and other factors did not fare well for tourism. The cruise industry reported a 4.3% decrease in total passengers on board the 274 ships that called on Belize in 2008.