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The Belize Tourism Board’s marketing objective is to increase the awareness of the Belize tourism product in relevant markets and in so doing, support and facilitate the efforts of the private sector to “make the sale". The annual marketing plan is created, implemented and measured with the input of the private sector organizations and the technical service providers of international advertising and public relations, Internet marketing, and local advertising and public relations. This plan is shared publicly at the Annual Industry presentation at the beginning of the fiscal year and is available to Belize tourism service providers. Download a copy of the current Action Plan here. In order to maximize exposure for private sector while minimizing costs, several efforts have been established using a cooperative marketing approach. Trade Shows/Sales Blitz Belize is represented at a variety of Trade and Consumer Travel shows throughout the world. Usually there is a BTB and private sector presence at the shows with the private sector presence coordinated and supported by the BTIA and/or the BHA. The BTB will display and distribute private sector brochures and flyers at shows that it attends. The locally organized BETEX show is one opportunity where interested private sector can purchase a booth and connect with potential travel agents and wholesaler partners.
The Belize Visitor’s Guide
The Belize Tourism Board produces a pocket guide with a listing and contact information for all service providers licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. This is done at no cost to participants.
Print Advertising
Several travel publications offer cooperative marketing packages where the cost of whole pages or spreads are shared by interested private sector parties and supported by the BTB. Scubadiving magazine is one such example.
International Public Relations
The BTB’s Advertising and Public Relations company requests regular updates on new properties and services, major upgrades and special packages and offers to share with interested press and media on an individual basis or via the quarterly Treasures of Belize newsletter.
Press Trips
When Belize is featured positively in the international press interest in travel to the entire country also increases. There are several press trips a year, organized around the interest of the participating journalists and their schedules. Private sector support and assistance in the form or complimentary and/or discounted services is critical in ensuring a positive experience for the journalists.
Familiarization Trips
Agents and wholesalers who are familiar with the Belize tourism product are better able to sell travel to the country. Familiarization trips for interested agents and wholesalers are facilitated by the BTB at the request of bonafide wholesalers. Tourism service providers can increase their exposure in the market by providing complimentary or discounted services to participants/trips whose client type matches
Local PR
The local tourism market is a viable one for many businesses and there are several tourism industry events where sponsorship in the form of services or financial support can provide valuable exposure to tourism service providers. These include the Annual Industry presentation, the BTB Triathalon, La Ruta Maya.
Internet Marketing Belize is one of the few countries that can boast that all licensed tourism service providers have an Internet presence. While most businesses have their own websites. The Belize Tourism Board offers the following opportunities. Belize Tourism Board's website http://www.travelbelize.org
1. Tour Operator Directory
Every licensed tour operator with the Belize Tourism Board is listed in the Tour Operator Directory of Travelbelize.org. The listing is free and includes information on type of services offered, and most importantly the contact information so that guests can make direct contact with the provider. The directory is updated annually (at license renewal time). Updated can be sent by the provider when they occur.
Tour Operators may also activate a link from their listing in this directory to their own website at a charge of $100 + GST per year. - Click here to search the Tour Operator Directory.
- Click here to submit or update your listing if you are a registered Tour Operator with the Belize Tourism Board.
2. Market your Travel Deals Market your travel deals!
The Belize Tourism Board offers each licensed hotel and tour operator the opportunity to promote their Belize Travel Deals for editorial opportunities, travel trade communications and in the searchable Travel Deals database on travelbelize.org.
There is no charge for this promotion and each licensed hotel or tour operator can have up to 4 travel deals active at any one time.
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