Belize Tourism Board Hosts BETEX International Press Tour

Representatives from various international press throughout the United States were in Belize for the bi-annual Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) and with the accompaniment of one of the Marketing Officers of the Belize Tourism Board, were given a five-day tour of our beautiful country.

The representatives from the various media houses were first transferred to the Old Belize Museum for the opening ceremonies of BETEX. Throughout the five-day tour, they had the opportunity to explore Belize and partake in the many adventures that our country has to offer.

The media's itinerary took them to Cayo where they visited the ancient Maya ruin of Xunantunich and later that day they attended BETEX Mini Marketplace. On their second day of touring, they visited Ian Anderson's Cave Branch where they were given a welcome and introduction and safety briefing for their designated tour, the Black Hole drop, which is rappelling into a 200 feet sink hole to the jungle floor. The third touring adventure took them to a relaxing and calm day at Rendezvous Caye, a private island for the Inn at Robert's Grove, where they had the opportunity to enjoy the tropical climate beach barbeque and marine activities such as snorkeling. Later in the evening, they attended another mini marketplace. The final activity on the itinerary for the International Media Tour took them to the popular diving/snorkeling site of Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Marine Reserve. They had the opportunity to discover the diversity of marine life and snorkel with sharks and sting rays, all hailed their trip as an unforgettable experience.

The International Press represented various magazines namely:

• Dive Training Magazine (cir. 93,000)
• JAX FAX Travel Marketing Magazine (cir. 25,000)
• Islands Magazine (cir. 200,000)
• Outdoor Florida Magazine (cir. 30,000)
• Dupage Women's Newspaper (cir. 175,000)
• 50+ Marketplace News (cir. 200,000)
• La Jolla Village News (cir. 35,000),
• Justsaygo.com.

BETEX International Press Tour was organized by the Belize Tourism Board and its former Marketing & Public Relations Firm, RFCP in New Jersey. Participating private sector partners included Ramon's Village Resort, Ian Anderson's Cave Branch, The Inn at Robert's Grove, Turtle Inn, Ka'ana Boutique Resort, Elvi's Kitchen, Windy Hills Lodge, Victoria House, San Ignacio Hotel, Seaduced by Belize, and Yute Expeditions.