Presentation & Sales Blitz In Guatemala City

The Belize Tourism Board partnered with Maya Regional to host a breakfast presentation to over one hundred wholesalers and travel agents in Guatemala City on Tuesday, April 28th, 2010.

At the invitation of Maya Regional, the BTB had an opportunity to further promote Belize as a premier vacation destination of choice to regional neighbors. This breakfast presentation allowed the agents and wholesalers an opportunity to see and learn more of Belize's diversity in its product offering which they would then be able to share with their clients looking for a nearby destination to dive, go cave-tubing and explore our Maya temples. It also allowed them to ask questions on Belize and to establish a public sector point of contact for future enquiries for doing business in Belize.

Representing the BTB were Board member, Mr. Gaspar Guerrero and Marketing Officer, Lorena Martinez.

These presentations are an opportunity for Belize to further grow its emerging markets in Central America and develop sound relationships with local Central American operators in growing future European visits through the Central American gateway.

BTB Meets Agents In Fort Lauderdale

The books are now closed on a signature travel industry event this year – the 2010 Home Based Travel Agents Show held from April 14^th–17^th at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. Representing the Belize Tourism Board were Karina Cunil and Alyssa Phillips.

This blockbuster event gave suppliers a unique opportunity to meet face–to–face with ideal customers and prospects. Over 1,200 of the leading home based agents attended the show to learn about what Belize has to offer. The original tradeshow was especially developed for home based travel agents who wanted to expand their knowledge and grow their business enabling the agents to build relationships and connect face–to–face with more than 200 domestic and international suppliers.

While there, the Belize representatives took full advantage by educating the agents on the Belize Specialist Course. This program allows travel agents across the globe, especially those from U.S. and Canada to enroll and learn about Belize. Travel agents that are already familiar with the destination have the opportunity to see Belize from new angles.

"The travel agent community is an essential distribution avenue for Belize," comments Tourism Director, Seleni Matus. "We are excited about the opportunity of securing new business from travel agents in the Ft. Lauderdale area and will continue to build with international tour operators who are interesting increasing business to Belize," commented Matus.

Belize Presentation To Delta Agents

The Belize Tourism Board conducted an educational Belize presentation to over 300 Delta reservation agents on March 2^nd, 2010 at Delta reservations office in Atlanta, Georgia.

The full day educational presentations highlighted Belize's reef, rainforest, archaeology and culture. During the presentations, reservation agents were introduced to the various features of Belize, increasing their awareness and knowledge, in an effort to effectively promote and sell Belize as a vacation destination to their clients. At the end of the presentation, each agent was given promotional brochures such as the Destination Belize Magazine, maps, and other useful contact information that will aid in answering questions posed by their clients. The main objective is to provide education and awareness of the Belizean product to those engaged in the sale of travel to Belize.

Delta Airlines is the world's largest airline. From its hub in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis–St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Amsterdam and Tokyo–Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 368 destinations in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year.

Belizean Adventure At The Travel Expo In Washington, DC

Belize was represented at the 6th Annual Adventure in Travel Expo in Washington, DC on March 6^th & 7^th, 2010 with an additional Belize presence of five private sector partners representing various hotels and tour operators.

While in Washington, the Belize delegation had the opportunity to educate consumers on Belize's unique product offerings by conducting an audio visual presentation highlighting four of Belize's main features – Reef, Rainforest, Archaeology and Culture. Hundreds of consumers were introduced to Belize, increasing their awareness and knowledge, in an effort to effectively plan their vacation.

The main focus of the marketing department is to increase awareness of the Belize tourism product and to promote Belize as a viable tourism destination both locally and internationally focusing on existing markets while developing potential new markets as a means of marketing Belize a year–round vacation destination.

Belize Goes Beneath The Sea

On March 26^th – 28^th, 2010 representatives from Belize traveled to New Jersey to attend one of the largest consumer, scuba diving, and travel exposition in North America.

The Meadowland Convention Center played host to this year's Beneath the Sea show which presented numerous features such as diving demonstrations, exotic destination presentations, and social events, an international film festival, product demonstrations and workshops that were designed to entertain, inform and excite dive enthusiasts.

Research indicates Belize's marine attractions rank as the highest motivational factor for travel to Belize. With the second largest barrier reef in the world and three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean, this was an important show to showcase Belize's niche dive market.

The show opened with a special session for the trade allowing for an intimate meeting with exhibitors before the Saturday and Sunday rush that saw thousands of dive enthusiasts from New York, New Jersey and neighboring states.

Belize For Weddings & Honeymoons - At The Caribbean Bridal Expo

Belize was represented at this year's Caribbean Bridal Expo (CBE) held on March 26^th & 27^th, 2010 in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

The two–day show seeks to connect an audience of serious buyers and sellers of wedding planning and services. CBE aimed to bring information, tips, services, event planners and industry suppliers from the United Sates and neighboring caribbean islands all under one roof. With over ten years of experience the Caribbean Bridal Expo managed to place itself as the greatest and most influential bridal marketplace in the Caribbean.

While at the show, the BTB hosted numerous couples seeking information on the destination and honeymoon opportunities, locales and packages. In addition, the BTB had the opportunity to meet with a few wedding planners that specialize in destination weddings and sought Belize as an ideal destination for future planning. Belize has the opportunity to develop new markets as a versatile, year-round destination that can cater to different expectations especially for those seeking a unique experience for their big day or that perfect, romantic honeymoon.