BHA Wants Heads in Beds

Belize Hotel Association

The Belize Hotel Association held its annual general meeting this afternoon at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. It’s hard times for the overnight tourism industry right now because occupancy rates are down sharply. But, this resilient industry has seen hard times before and outgoing President Einer Gomez wasn’t hanging his head wearily, he was looking ahead to the future optimistically.

Einer Gomez, Outgoing President: “We’ve tried to put that behind us and focus on marketing our product so that when the economy comes back into action we will be prepared. What we are doing right now is we are embarking on a huge marketing campaign and with the help of BTB and the members of the BHA being involved, we are doing a global marketing initiative which will encompass over 50 trade shows and will be exposing Belize as a destination in countries in Europe, North America, and South America. (Continue Reading)

Public Consultation to be held today

Belize Tourism Board

The Sustainable Tourism Program (STP) of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, and the Belize Tourism Board, in conjunction with the San Pedro Town Council will be holding a public consultation on Wednesday, November 25th at 7:00 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. at the Lions Den, San Pedro.

The purpose of the meeting is:

1. To present to the community the STP Project and specifically the Ambergris Caye investements: the Saca Chispas Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal, and Bacalar Chico Educational Center.
2. To obtain feedback from the community for consideration and incorporation within the design options and planning process.
3. Invite suggestion on the developments as presented.

All potential stakeholders to include the Belize Tourism Industry Association, Belize Hotel Association, local hoteliers, tour operators, and other service providers, handicraft and other commercial vendors, water-taxi/taxi association members and citizens of San Pedro Town and Ambergris Caye are encouraged to attend.

Alliance Bank Chooses “Heritage Bank” As New Name

Heritage Bank

The Alliance Bank of Belize has gone though an ownership change and now, it’s re-branding – meaning, taking on a new name. For some time, the bank has been inviting the general public to submit potential new names.

Turns out, five people submitted the same name: “Heritage Bank.” So a raffle was held today to pick a single winner from those five. Jacqueline Ifield, was the winner of the grand cash prize of US$1,000 and a week of paid vacation in a Cancun condo. (Continue Reading)

US Airways signs deal to expand destinations

US Airways

NEW YORK (AP) — US Airways has signed a codeshare deal with Taca Airlines that will let customers to fly to more destinations in Central and South America next year. The Phoenix-based airline said Tuesday it received approval for the agreement, which lets carriers sell tickets on each other’s flights, from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Under the new agreement, US Airways customers traveling from the U.S. will be able to connect through Taca hubs in San Salvador, El Salvador; San Jose, Costa Rica and Lima, Peru to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua. Tickets will go on sale on December 5th for travel to the new spots starting January 12th.

Liberty Children’s Walk-a-thon raises $6,000

Liberty Children's Home Walk-a-thon

The Liberty Children’s Home Walk-a-thon fundraiser over the weekend raised nearly $6,000 Bz. By all accounts it was an excellent event and all proceeds raised will go directly to the children. Kudo’s to the organizers – Stacey Bove from Captain Morgan’s, the participants and all who donated. Cindy Vigna & Molly singlehandedly raised over $1,000 for the cause. See more photos at: Muppetsgowild.blogspot.com.

Liberty Children’s Home is situated in Ladyville, on the outskirts of Belize City, and opened in the summer of 2005. Liberty Children’s Home cares for approximately 40 children all of whom have been abandoned and/or physically/sexually abused while many also have disabilities, special needs or are HIV positive. Liberty works closely with the Belize Human Services Department in the placement of the children at Liberty. (Continue Reading)

Cost of Airfare to Belize

Price of Flights to Belize

To whom it may concern; Over the past 3 years I have noticed a steady increase in the cost of airfare from the US to Belize and would like to bring this to your attention and raise some awareness.  I am sure you are fully aware that with the sagging US economy a lot of financial belts are being tightened and travel decisions are being effected by this.

I bring this up because my wife and I attempt to travel to Belize 3 times a year to visit friends, family and enjoy all that the country has to offer.  Currently the cost of a round trip ticket in February from MEM to BZE is $800.00 and ask why can I fly significantly cheaper to other Central America destinations ( SJO, STT, CUN, CZM, SAP) using the same date range?  One destination beat the price by 38% and as much as I love visiting the country of Belize one has to wonder why La Isla Bonita is so expensive? Sincerely, John & Shawna Robilio

Daily San Pedro Weather Forecast November 23

IR Satellite Photo

General Situation: A moist and unstable airflow will continue to dominate our weather for the next few days. 24hr Forecast: Cloudy skies today with a few sunny breaks. Tonight skies will be mostly cloudy. Off and on showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to affect most areas.

Winds: Easterly at 5 to 15 knots becoming gusty near heavy showers or thunderstorms. Sea State: Choppy becoming locally rough at times. *OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION*. Outlook: For Wednesday through Thursday morning is for similar weather to prevail. Highs: 29°C / 84°F – Lows: 24°C / 75°F

Saga Humane Society Announcements

www.sagahumanesociety.org

Saga Humane Society (Saga) is pleased to announce that it has launched a new and improved website to help it better serve the San Pedro community! The website is still located at the same URL address, http://sagahumanesociety.org.

Saga organizers are hopeful that the new site will serve as a fun and interactive venue for the public, both near and far, to become better acquainted with Saga, its staff, volunteers and other supporters, and especially the animals that Saga exists to help – the underprivileged animals of San Pedro Town. The site will also feature all animals (dogs and cats) available for adoption at Saga, new volunteer and donation opportunities, and fundraising and adoption events, just to name a few. Though the site already contains a lot of great information, it is still a work in progress, so come back and visit often to see what’s new! (Continue Reading)

Belize Diving Video

Smart partially restores it’s international phone services

Smart Belize

SpeedNet Communications Limited, the company that owns SMART issued a statement over the weekend saying that it had restored its international services; but with some technical difficulties. Sunday evening’s press release said that SMART customers may experience some difficulties placing international calls and that voice quality may not be of the, quote: “high standard,” end quote that its customers are accustomed to.

The release goes on to say that SMART technicians are working to restore the international services completely over the next few days.  On Friday of last week, the government owned and operated Telemedia disconnected SMART’s access to international circuits. Telemedia claims that agreements dating back to 2004 provided an unfair advantage to SMART.  On Friday, the Public Utilities Commission suggested that Telemedia reconnect the SMART service until an amicable solution is worked out. Source: LoveFM.com