BTB Hosts Tenth Annual Industry Presentation

The Belize Tourism Board today held its 10th Annual Industry Presentation at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel on May 15th, 2008. Over 400 industry stakeholders were present.

The Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. provided an overview of the strategic objectives and specific action steps that will be initiated by the Ministry over the next 100 days. This include the re-establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the reconvening of the Belize National Tourism Council and various marketing and product development initiatives that will help us to maintain the authenticity of the marketing message and the integrity of the tourism product. The Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow, who provided the keynote address, spoke on the government’s broader vision for tourism and the country’s economic outlook for his first term in office. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of truly making tourism a national priority and gave his unequivocal commitment that this is the undertaking of the Government of Belize.

Other presenters included the Director of Tourism, Mrs. Tracy Panton who gave the Welcome Address and the Chairman of the BTB Board, Mr. Gaspar Guerrero, who delivered the Closing Remarks. A special presentation was made to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow, on behalf of all industry stakeholders, by the Vice-Chairman of BTB’s Board, Mr. Santino Castillo.

As an additional highlight, a video presentation entitled “Tourism on the Move” was presented to stakeholders highlighting the major areas of focus in tourism that will be undertaken by the tourism public sector.