PREPARATION FOR 2008 BELIZE TOURISM EXPO UNDER WAY

July 23, 2008

The Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) steering committee held a meeting this morning at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel to update the participants and the media of the progress of the event. BETEX is a show held every two years and is organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association with assistance from the Belize Tourism Board and other stakeholders. Suppliers and buyers from all over the world will be in Belize for the 5 day event. Nicole Solano of Idea Lab is part of the Marketing and Management team of the event.

Nicole Solano: Marketing & Management, BETEX

“We have about 100 International delegates coming into Belize on July 30^th.  That evening there is an opening ceremony which is very much a cultural event. The following morning they are going to meet for an orientation session at the Radisson and at that session we are going to give them an introduction to Belize. There is going to be a video presentation by the Belize Tourism Board just explaining really the sights of Belize and the destinations, giving them an overview, followed by a BETEX orientation so that they understand what to expect over the next four days. When that orientation is finished they break up into their ten groups, because we have ten expedition itineraries, so depending on the itinerary that they have selected they then go whether it is to Toledo, whether it is to San Pedro, wherever it is that their itinerary takes them. And they are out in the destinations for 4 days. There is a mini marketplace and that the opportunity where the local suppliers in the destinations to meet with them; the suppliers already know which ones they are going to, so that is actually the business session, the opportunity that the local supplier will have to do interact with the International delegates to do business. So its really a two fold BETEX; it allows for the delegates to experience the country and it allows them to do business with the supplier.”

BETEX is taking on a different format this year that will allow for the participants to have hands on experience as it relates to the Belize Tourism Product. Andrew Godoy is the Executive Director of the Belize Tourism Industry Association and Chairman of the BETEX Committee.

Andrew Godoy: Executive Director, Belize Tourism Industry Association

“BETEX is always a big event for the entire country because it gives the country an opportunity to showcase our tourism product to the rest of the world. In fact we attend trade shows all over the world but what is so special about BETEX is that it’s a show organized in Belize and focus on Belize where as other shows especially in the region you have other countries competing for the same buyers, while at BETEX there are only local suppliers showcasing their tourism product and competing for these buyers who already sell in Belize. The format this year is certainly different from any other trade shows that we have done in the past; the past BETEX and in fact different from any other trade shows and in the past what we have done with BETEX is that we do expeditions following the Marketplace, this year what is so special is that it is actually focus on the expeditions and so we have organized ten expeditions this year. What is so unique and special about BETEX is that you actually get to visit the properties and destinations. Belize is a small country so we can actually afford to bring these people in and tour them and take them throughout the country.”

Godoy says that since the BETEX promotion started they have attracted interest from Travel Agents in Central America and Mexico. The Belize Tourism Board is the major sponsor for the event this year. Evan Tillett represented the Board at the meeting this morning.

Evan Tillett: Belize Tourism Board

“The Belize Tourism Board is delighted to see the continued success and growth of BETEX since its inception in 1996. This year more so than ever, the Belize Tourism Board is supporting BETEX by donating an unprecedented sum of 75 thousand dollars for the execution of this event. This year BETEX showcases a new market place format which will allow international traders to explore the different destinations and to have a first hand experience as what Belize has to offer as a travel destination. We trust that this new format will contribute to a greater success of this event, increase the product knowledge of Belize and continue to build a strong and positive image of our country in the International Marketplace.”

Organizers are expecting more 100 international delegates to participate in the vent that starts on July 30 and ends on August 4^th.

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