Exhale Gamification Launch
How many species of fish? How many species of birds? How many islands dot the coast line? These were some of the questions potential travelers were challenged with as they engaged in a fun trivia game that tested their knowledge of the Jewel. In March, Belize officially launched the Exhale Gamification dubbed “Sharp eyez”. Utilizing a quiz platform, players were asked to locate hidden numbers within iconic Belizean images. Successful players received a chance to win prizes such as hiking backpacks, stand up paddleboards, and a grand sweepstakes prize of an Eco tour in destination.
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The “Exhale” campaign continued with new videos highlighting the scenery and safety of the destination.
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Top Stories
Here are a few of our top international earned media placements March 2021:
USA
Popular Destinations Can Americans Travelers Visit Right Now?– Travel Pulse – see HERE
Travel Changes For Those Who Are Fully Vaccinated” – Forbes – see HERE
Dive Travel and COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need To Know – Scuba Diving – see HERE
Belize to Welcome Vaccinated Travelers – No COVID Testing Required – Yahoo! Money – see HERE
What Countries Can I Travel to if I’ve had the COVID-19 Vaccine– Lonely Planet – see HERE
Europe
Belize becomes first country in Caribbean to welcome vaccinated travellers with no restrictions” – Independent– see HERE
The list of countries open to UK tourists now, from France to Barbados– Daily Telegraph – see HERE
Belize allows vaccinated travellers to enter without testing – Travel Daily – see HERE
Which countries will allow vaccinated tourists and UK visitors this summer? – Turning Left for Less – see HERE
Germany also earned 4 placements on Mayan and Garifuna culture, the Great Blue Hole, Belize as an ethical destination and the coolest remote hotels.
Canada
“Dreamy Destination on a Plate” - Zoomer Magazine— see HERE
“The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide” – Notable Life — see HERE
“About Belize” - DRIFT Magazine— see HERE
“Incredibly Socially Distant Locations” - Travel & Style — see HERE
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Ministerial Destination Visits
In March, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Anthony Mahler, continued his Ministerial Destination visits. Informative and engaging sessions were held with our stakeholders in Cayo and Mountain Pine Ridge. During these visits, the new Visitor Center at the Rio On Pools was officially opened.
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Gold Standard entities continue to be highlighted via social media; here are a few examples: |
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593 properties and 280 tour operators have been certified. 33 tourism sites, transportation providers, gift shops and restaurants have aligned their operations with the program thus providing guests with a safe experience while in Belize. Congratulations to all our industry partners who have achieved Gold Standard certification!
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ITB NOW—Mar 9-12
The ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin) is one of the world’s largest tourism trade shows that bring together hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, system providers, airlines and car rental companies from all over the globe. This year the show adopted a virtual format under the name ITB Now, which took place on March 9-12. The BTB, along with our German marketing agency, the BHA and 12 local stakeholders, exhibited at the event under three distinct themes: “Sun, Sand & Sea”, “Reef & Rainforest Adventures”, and “Luxury, Wellness & Spa.” The Belize delegation conducted meetings with travel media and tour operators over the course of 4 days.
Belize met with 15 top tour operators and media companies such as “Connoisseur Circle” Press company of Germany, Austria and Switzerland; “Reisen Exklusiv” and “Imagine”; Austria’s largest newspaper, “Kronenzeitung”, an important trade magazine, “FVW” and the Tour Operator, “Diamir”. Although the platform was technical for all users, the meetings with these agencies were spectacular.
Belize received free publicity because of the meetings with FVW; Holger Jacobs from this agency published a very positive article on Belize and the current situation and included some great quotes from our meeting. FVW is the most influential trade magazine in the German market and has a very high reach of 117,000 unique users each month. Apart from the online publication, Holger also included a teaser on the story in the daily FVW newsletter.
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VIRTUAL UNITE CARIBBEAN—March 15 & 16
Virtual Unite Caribbean is an annual workshop event that brings together UK and European-based tour operators to meet with tourist boards, hoteliers, marketing agencies, airlines, ground handlers, and car hire companies from the Caribbean. Over the years, the event has taken place in London and tied to ITB Berlin, allowing overseas contingencies to optimize their time in Europe. However, because of COVID-19, this year’s event took place virtually on March 15 & 16. Approximately 74 exhibiting companies with 118 buyers attended the event. Interaction between buyers and exhibitors followed pre-booked, one-to-one appointments created using an online appointment system between buyer and exhibitor.
The event was a success with meetings with 13 key trade partners, including; Original Travel, Responsible Travel, Audley, Steppes Travel. The BTB, along with our UK marketing Agency and the BHA, attended the meetings. Belize also received exposure through the event coverage on their website, exhibitor emails, LinkedIn and Travel Weekly advert.
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CATA - BEST OF THE BEST WEBINAR—March 17-18
The Belize Tourism Board took part in the CATA—“Best of the Best” Webinar on March 17 & 18. Each participating country had 7 minutes to present on the best aspect of their country; Belize presented under the theme, “Belize—A Haven of Natural Diversity.” The session provided a platform to not only highlight the wonders of the country but also to address what’s happening considering COVID, flight connectivity, airport reopening, activities visitors can engage in. 230 industry professionals from Europe attended the event.
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VIRTUOSO BELIZE WEBINAR—Mar 18
The Belize Tourism Board conducted a Virtuoso webinar on Mar 18 with Virtuoso Travel Advisors from around the globe. The webinar began with an overview of the destination and the its key selling points; the team also spoke about the Belize Specialist Program, our Facebook group, and addressed the entry requirements and safety protocols involved.
The session had high engagement as the audience asked several questions that showed great interest. 90 Travel Advisors registered and 57 attended, putting the AR at 63%; an excellent success!
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Here are a few posts from our Social Media platforms: |
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Share & Earn
What’s new in your neck of the woods - a tour, new cooking class at your property, an expansion? If you’re Gold Standard, let us know at industryrelations@belizetourismboard.org and we’ll share your good news with our international media and trade partners to earn coverage for you.
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More Live Instagram Inspections are coming up soon!!
Gold Standard certified and interested in showcasing your property? Send us an email today.
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Become a Belize Travel Specialist!
The Belize Travel Specialist Program offers travel advisors well-rounded knowledge of Belize as a travel destination. Benefits of the Belize Travel Specialist Program include:
- priority consideration for familiarization trips;
- recognition on TravelBelize.org where visitors can search for qualified Specialist agents in their area;
- invitations to attend exclusive events;
- printable diploma certifying your status as an official Belize Travel Agent Specialist; and
- a wide range of marketing tools and resources to help promote and sell Belize.
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Be a Part of Our Online Travel Agent Community!
Belize Travel Advisors & Friends is a private Facebook Group where Travel Advisors can interact with Belize Suppliers. Learn about the positive things happening in Belize amidst the pandemic and share personal experiences about Belize. Be sociable and share with other Advisors.
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Belizean Traveller & Belizebooking.com
As COVID continues to challenge the travel industry, domestic travel is more important than ever. We encourage you to join the Belizean Traveller campaign and promote your ‘Belizean’ rates and packages on Belizebooking.com. View instructions and tutorial video below.
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In our next edition: Belizean Traveller Campaign launch |
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