The Belize Tourism Board attends Canada Sales Blitz

On September 2^nd and 4^th, 2008, the Belize Tourism Board, with the assistance of L.A.T.A (Latin American Travel Amigos) conducted presentations in Montreal and Toronto two major Canadian cities.

The approach was to hold two-one day presentations in each city starting with a mini-tradeshow where BTB staff alongside private sector representatives had the opportunity to meet with Canadian travel agents to sell the destination and their properties. In addition to the agents, members of the Canadian press were also invited to both presentations and conducted interviews with Belize suppliers and the Belize Tourism Board.

The first presentation took place on September 2^nd, in Montreal, with a total of seventy agents in attendance, all eager and prepared with questions on Belize. After the presentation the Belize delegation was invited for cocktails and network building activities.

On September 4^th, 2008, the second presentation was conducted in Toronto with a total of forty-five agents in attendance. Agents were very interested in learning how they could participate in BTB's agent familiarization trips.

Recognizing the tremendous market potential of the Canadian tourism market, the BTB in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and the Belize Hotel Association (BHA), invited the private sector to participate in the Canadian Sales Blitz. The Belize representatives included two of BTB's marketing officers alongside private sector members, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Mata Chica, Almond Beach and Jaguar Reef Beach Resort.

Promotional materials given to agents who attended the presentations included, "Destination Belize" magazines, Belize maps and image brochures and samples of Belizean-made products such as Marie Sharp miniature pepper sauces, Hot Mama's Mangonera sauces, pepper jellies, and Gallon Jug Coffee Beans.

Two grand-prize packages were given away by the private sector as incentives to the travel agents in promoting destination Belize.

Belize Legacy Resort and San Ignacio Resort Hotel were not able to attend the Canadian Travel Blitz, but assisted in sponsoring the grand prizes.