Belize Tourism's Deborah Gilharry & Alyssa Carnegie
Goway's Melissa Buttrill, Eliza Wallace, Don Forster & Maria Cassanello
Belize's Princess Hotel & Casino's GM, Erol A. Olcan & Sales Manager, Tessie Duran Tonaco
Chukka Tours' Echo Ross & Melecia Banks sit down to chat.
Belize's Splash Dive Center's Ralph Capeling maps some great diving spots for curious agents.
New Wave Travel's Darwin Clearwater & Nelson M. Mateo
Best to believe in Belize! Tourist arrival numbers have grown in the double digits over the last couple of years - and if that wasn’t enough evidence, perhaps the overbooked event that was hosted recently at Toronto’s Novotel could hint to the destination’s growing popularity.
More than 65 agents showed up for the presentation dinner, some who hadn’t even RSVP’d. Those without a confirmed registration could only attend the pre-dinner tradeshow, which included 14 Belizean reps including hoteliers, tour operators like Chukka and the country’s regional airline, Tropic Air.
Making their rounds, was Goway’s Don Forster and his team. “Belize is becoming our main Central American destination along with Costa Rica,” said the Product & Marketing Manager for Latin America and Adventure.
His colleague, Melissa Buttrill, Latin America Specialist agreed. “People who are avoiding the Caribbean are going to new destinations like Belize. There’s so much to do in this small country – ruins, jungle and beach. And it’s the only Central American country where English is the 1st language. The price point is a bit higher, but there are more activities and it is rich with local culture.”
Deborah Gilharry, the Belize Tourism Board’s Senior Travel Trade Officer described Belize as, “Where Jacques Cousteau meets Indiana Jones.”
Guests were eager to learn some fun facts such as: the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere can be found off the country’s coast; it’s a bird watcher’s paradise and home to more than 500 different species and more than 2/3 of its rainforest is still intact with ongoing preservation efforts.
Where does Indiana Jones come in? According to Alyssa Carnegie, the tourism board’s Director of Marketing & Industry Relations, with its Mayan Ruins and mysterious caves, Belize is the ultimate destination for archaeology buffs and travellers seeking adventure.
Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights available from YYZ to BZE. But several American carriers service the destination, with connections through EWR, MIA, IAH, DFW and LAX.
