On Wednesday, February 10, the BTIA San Pedro chapter held a meeting at Elvi’s Kitchen. In addition to several important tourism matters on the agenda, a presentation on BETEX 2010 was given by Nicole Solano of Idea Lab Studios, the BETEX Marketing & Management Company.

BETEX 2010 details were shared with the group, including information on the new format, the Admission Policy, discounted airfare, sponsorship opportunities, and Opening Night. Those in attendance were encouraged to visit the website at www.betex.bz for additional information and to register online. The response to this year’s event has been very positive, and industry stakeholders present at the meeting indicated that they will register, and have also made verbal offers to provide accommodations and services for BETEX itineraries. A possible venue for the San Pedro marketplace was also identified, and efforts will be made to confirm marketplace venues at the earliest.

The San Pedro meeting was the first in a series of BETEX discussions that will take place countrywide over the coming weeks. The BETEX team at Idea Lab Studios will join BTIA representatives at destination chapter meetings to ensure that members are fully informed about this year’s event. For additional information on BETEX, kindly contact Nicole Solano at info@betex.bz or Lisbeth Cabral at lisbeth@betex.bz.

Elections were also held at the San Pedro meeting, with the current Board being re-elected, and Julie Babcock of Caye Casa remains as the Chairperson for the San Pedro chapter.

Belize City, December 7, 2009 – At its recent annual general meeting, BTIA launched its 25th anniversary celebrations. As the largest umbrella tourism private sector organization representing just over 600 members, BTIA will mark its milestone 25th year of operations in 2010.

The organization first opened its doors on April 26, 1985 and has since then been serving as the primary private sector voice for tourism in Belize. Among its many achievements are its representation of over 600 private sector tourism and business operators, ownership of its secretariat building, the launch and successful seventeen (17) years of publishing the only national tourism travel magazine and its sixth installment of Belize’s only national travel trade show (BETEX – Belize Tourism Expo) held every two years.

At its recent AGM held on December 2, 2009, BTIA received the commitment of financial support of BZ$50,000 from the Belize Tourism Board for the 2010 BETEX show to be held from June 23 – 27, 2010. The first installment of BZ$5000 has been disbursed. BTB has supported the event financially as it is the only event that puts Belize on the international center stage in our own country. The show allows for all operators to receive a real opportunity to showcase their product and the country, offering that firsthand experience of the diverse destination we sell. While other international tradeshows allow Belize to compete alongside hundreds of worldwide destinations and only few Belizean operators can afford to attend, BETEX brings the singular focus on Belize within our own borders and allows for all operators to be exposed and participate in a well-organized international travel trade show. Idea Lab Studios will once again provide its services as the BETEX Marketing & Management Company, and has been involved in this capacity since BETEX 2004.

The cover of the Destination Belize magazine for 2010 was as well unveiled and features the sea and inland adventure aspects of our destination. The photo displays a large male iguana attractively perched and sunning himself on the reef in front of the atoll — Lighthouse Reef. The cover of our magazine seventeen years in publication has always showcased the diverse product of our tourism industry. The magazine is an in-room publication but is as well widely used by BTB, BTIA, Belize’s foreign services offices and many other tourism organizations to promote Belize as a tourism destination. Publishers of the magazine are Ulrich Communications and operate out of Miami Florida, USA.

Three different groups of trade visitors will visit each marketplace each morning for three days (Days 2, 3 and 4). This rotation format will allow all suppliers the opportunity to meet all the registered trade participants in all nine groups (approximately 90 buyers and 90 supplier companies for a 1:1 ratio).

BETEX makes every effort to showcase as many Belize destinations as possible. The Opening Night will be held in Belize City, and Closing events will be held in BTIA chapter destinations not utilized as a marketplace venue, such as Hopkins, Dangriga, Toledo, Corozal, Orange Walk and Caye Caulker (to be determined based on the amount of registered suppliers from these destinations).

“I loved how you had the one on one with suppliers and then to have dinner and enjoy them on a personal level. I felt I learned a lot about Belize in the 5 short days.  I couldn’t wait to come back and tell clients how wonderful Belize is!” ~ Hurley Travel Experts

“A great introduction to Belize…I saw a lot in a very compact amount of time.  The format (getting buyers out into the field) is unique, and I’m better positioned to sell Belize because of it.” ~ Hideaways International

“For what little time we had it was impressive how many hotels we visited.  I would have liked to have seen more in Cayo, but understand that terrain and time were not on our side.” ~ Belize Yoga

“I too absolutely loved Belize. I would recommend Belize over Hawaii or Mexico with a blink of the eye.” ~ Dalianes Travel

“Boy, what a wonderful Betex.  I learned so much from it.  Not only did I discover Belize, I experienced it and have come to love it.” ~ HCI Travel

“I just returned from 12 days in Belize and it was truly UN-BELIZEABLE.” ~ Scuba Travel Ventures

“Fantastic organization! And excellent variety and diversity between itineraries” ~ TravelPoints

“I love Belize.  What did I like the most? Visiting hotels, spending the night at certain hotels to experience what clients could experience and the excursions.” ~ Kawil Travel Services

“We had a fabulous time and learned so much! It was obvious how proud you are of Belize and how you want to grow tourism.  I left thinking about how soon I was going to return and how many clients I could send your way.  Please send our personal thanks to everyone that was involved.  I know this was a huge project and I think you did a wonderful job.  We loved the format and think it was definitely the way to go.  This experience made a huge impact on our business.” ~ Symphony Travel

” Así también me permito felicitarles por la excelente organización del evento que nos permitió conocer las maravillas naturales, gastronómicas y de hotelería de su país sin dejar de lado los servicors aéreos. BETEX fue para nosotros sin duda una experiencia inolvidable y sobre todo el medio que nos permitió conocer de cerca el producto que vendemos desde hace ya varios años, ya que particularmente hemos armado algunos paquetes combinando Chetumal con Belize, pero hasta ahora solo utilizábamos Lamanai, San Pedro y algunos sitios del distrito de Corozal, hoy estamos hacienda nuevos paquetes con los destinos que recién conocimos, para ofertar con nuestro principal Mercado, que son, agencias de viajes y operadoras de la capital de la republica mexicana, con clientes de alto poder adquisitivo.” ~ Bacalar Tours

Here’s what some suppliers had to say about BETEX 2008:

“Word of Mouth has always been Belize’s best seller.  BETEX cannot be compared to other trade shows”. ~ Tropic Air

Several new wholesalers attended this year from Canada and Guatemala (both great markets) as well as the US. I am expecting to get some new business, especially from the ones that were able to make the site inspection and see first hand our property. ~ Xanadu Resort

“I believe the format is one worth keeping” – UpClose Wildlife Tours

“We met some wonderful agents, had a great luncheon…and made some great new contacts.” ~ Ka’ana Resort

“Overall I think it was a good format and it was very useful to us.” ~ Almond Beach

“The event definitely was worth the time and efforts to participate.” ~ Journey’s End/Las Terrazas Resort

Belize City, August 4, 2008 – The Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX 2008) was held in Belize from July 30 – August 4, and was a huge success. Today was the official departure day, and while some international delegates extended their stay for post tours, many departed the country after five nights of intense destination familiarization and business activities.

Approximately 100 international trade and press delegates participated in BETEX from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. With five days of countrywide expeditions (10 itinerary options), travel professionals immersed themselves in the product, and learned first hand how to sell the destination. Decentralized marketplace sessions were held daily in each destination, allowing for business interaction between buyers and suppliers. BETEX featured cultural shows and social functions highlighting some of Belize’s rich diverse cultures.

The official arrival day was July 30. International delegates arriving by air were met at the international airport, and taken to the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza for lunch. Other delegates arriving over land were also met with an official welcome. That afternoon, five travel trade professionals were selected in a raffle to participate in a Belize City tour by helicopter, while other delegates participated in various Belize City tours arranged by BETEX.

That night, all local and international participants celebrated the event’s opening with a cultural evening at Old Belize, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board. The next morning, an Orientation Session was held at the Radisson Fort George, and all international delegates were introduced to Belize and informed of what to expect during their visit with video presentations by both BETEX and the BTB.

The large group then separated into ten small groups that were lead by local Expedition Hosts throughout the country on individual expeditions. Mini-marketplace business sessions were held countrywide in Cayo, San Pedro, Placencia, Hopkins, Toledo, Belize City and Dangriga. Over 40 host hotels, several tour operators and many restaurants provided complimentary accommodations, tours, meals and other services for BETEX 2008. Discounted airfare for international delegates was provided by Taca, Continental and American Airlines.

BETEX is held every two years in Belize, and is organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association with the support of the Belize Tourism Board. BETEX offers an exclusive opportunity for travel trade professionals to meet with local suppliers, learn more about Belize, and experience the destination first-hand.

Idea Lab Studios was the BETEX Marketing & Management Company in charge of registrations, and general management of the show. BTIA and BETEX thanks all its sponsors and supporters, especially its major sponsors Belize Tourism Board, Atlantic Bank, Tropic Air, Discovery Expeditions, Tour Belize, SMART, Chaa Creek, and Astrum Helicopters.

For more information, visit www.betex.bz or email info@betex.bz.