Belize’s Tourism Minister Reviews 2011, Previews 2012
Manuel Heredia is Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. He lives on Ambergris Caye, where we often bump into him. In December he summarized Belize’s accomplishments of 2011. And he described some of the goals for 2012. Belize is planning an exciting year long calendar of activities in 2012, to commemorate the conclusion of a B’ak”tun, and look forward to the dawning of a new era…
The Heads of Departments representing the Ministries of Belize attended this year end meeting. Here are a few of the infrastructure and tourism 2011 accomplishments, and 2012 plans:
- Upgrade Local Airstrips – work was successfully completed in multiple towns.
- Cayo Welcome Center – groundbreaking was completed. Construction is ongoing. This center will be world class.
- San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk – Bids were accepted for this Ambergris Caye tourism project.
- Placentia Municipal Pier – and Belize City Fort Point Pedestrian Walk –in the final stages of procurement.
- Belize City Final Master Plan – was completed and given to government to review.
Belize Tourism Board – The BTB implemented a new “on-line” marketing program. The goal was to pick up the pace of tourism and incorporate social media. As a result, two USA based TV stations decided to film projects in Belize. These efforts will further promote tourism in Belize.
You may already have heard the buzz about the 2012 “Bachelor” episodes. Several segments were filmed around Belize last October. Ambergris Caye was included, of course. The Belize segments air in the USA in February sometime. So keep an eye out and be sure to watch.
Lamanai High Temple
In 2011 the level of emphasis on culture increased. And in 2012 the BTB and other Belizean organizations will be highlighting the Mayan culture and history in Belize.
Corozal received a “House of Culture” last year. In San Pedro, a House of Culture Coordinator was appointed in 2011. A San Pedro “House of Culture” will be established this year.
