Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Congratulations, Kelcy Harris! The Cristo Rey native won Pastry Chef of the Year at the Taste of Belize. She'll represent Belize at the Taste of the Caribbean in November in Barbados. Yes, never ever ever give up on your dreams.

The Belize Tourism Board is having their Accommodation Renewal Licensing Clinics in August and September, and the Cayo clinic will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 2nd and 3rd, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

Tea, Taak + Tourism is a new show from the Belize Tourism Board where Morgan Miles, Miss Earth Belize 2024, interviews a variety of Belizeans that, at this point, work in the conservation field. From The Belize Zoo to Oceana, to Ya'axché so far. The 3rd episode was just released, and episode 2 is great if you want to learn more about the best little zoo in the world.

The Belize Tourism Board has opened Nominations for the 2023 National Tourism Awards. Know any hospitality businesses that deserve recognition? Now's the time to nominate them. There are 10 different award categories.

'The Call for Nominations for the 2023 National Tourism Awards is now open!
It's time to recognize and award the heroes and superstars in our industry.
Make sure to nominate your top candidates by visiting https://bit.ly/43m5Ijs '

BTB has a new series, Our People, Food, and Culture, and they will be releasing a few short episodes a week.  Chef Sean is the host, so it's much like Mek We Talk Food.  The first episode takes place in Toledo.

In this first episode of Our People, Food, and Culture, Chef Sean Kuylen travels to Toledo! A region that offers much more than meets the eye; learn more about various attractions, East Indian culture and traditional Cuisine. Catch the second episode at 4:00 p.m. today on the BTB Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

The BTB is having a Civic Pride Jingle Competition, and the grand prize is $3000. Come up with a creative jingle about civic pride, and you can win.  The rules can be found at http://bit.ly/3ZdtWen

''The Belize Tourism Board is delighted to announce the launch of its Civic Pride Jingle Competition! We are looking for a creative and original jingle between 30 – 45 seconds to be the official jingle for our Civic Pride campaign. The jingle should promote the values of the campaign, be catchy, and capture the attention of local audiences. Please read the full competition rules available at www.http://bit.ly/3ZdtWen or scan the QR code on the flyer below. The winner of the jingle competition will receive a cash prize of $3,000. The deadline for submission is April 17, 2023.'

Congratulations to the San Antonio Women's Cooperative for winning the BTB's Cultural Experience of the Year Award!  Awesome to see.

'And here we are! , THANK YOU Belize Tourism Board

The Belize Tourism Board has a new advertising campaign: Grab Life in Belize.  Quite a lot is packed into the video, and Cayo is represented.  Xunantunich is in there.  

The BTB is having their 6th Digital Marketing Summit starting next Monday, and they'll have webinars every day.  

Shared on the Cayo Event Calendar.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPi9TbWFXcg/

"The Belize Tourism Board’s (BTB) Digital Marketing Summit is known to be a hub of inspiration and insights by some of the top professional marketers in their respective fields. Hot on the heels of a pandemic that upended the travel industry (and the world) as we know it, digital marketing is not a luxury but a necessity. Equipping our local marketing professionals with the proper tools is imperative to bring back the industry we once knew.

The Belize Tourism Board has a nice and short video the shows culture from around Belize.  The World Culture Band is shown briefly.   

They released another video in the Belize Awaits campaign at the same time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8YTh0R6SbY

The Belize Tourism Board has premiered their first episode of the second season of Tea, Taak & Tourism.  Ms. Boyd interviews Rumari Ku, and the discussion is all about Digital Archaeology.

The Belize Tourism Board is inviting everyone to share their 'Loving Cayo District' inspirational story.  Scan the QRC for more information.  Sounds cool.

This Saturday is the ribbon cutting for the El Cayo Boardwalk. The festivities will begin at 4pm.  The Belize Tourism Board invites everyone to check out the finished boardwalk.  They'll have live music, snacks, and fireworks.  

The SISE Police Department received 2 new trucks and a motorcycle yesterday.  Thank you, Belize Tourism Board!  Great pictures from the handing over ceremony.

The BTB is having their Licensing Industry Relation Visit this Thursday at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. 10am to noon for hotels, and 5 to 7pm for tour operators and tour guides.

'Information and support to be provided include:
1. Status change and updating of Licensing Applications.
2. New updates in BTB external policies and a refresher on the regulations.
3. Licensing of short-term rental properties (including properties on Airbnb, VRBO, and similar).
4. Pick-up of Licenses and Decals
5. General queries on licensing procedures and requirements.'

The Belize Tourism Board's series, “Our People, Food, and Culture,” will premier tomorrow, and can be seen on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Sounds cool, and surely they'll have many episodes in Cayo, since we're the foodie destination.

'From Corozal to Toledo, Belize is a melting pot of cultures! Travel with us as we take you to a different part of the country each week in a special series called “Our People, Food, and Culture,” brought to you by the Belize Tourism Board!

Starting March 15th, watch the episodes on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. on the National Channel and the Belize Hotel Association Channel, and at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 5, and Fridays on Love TV at 7:30 p.m. Episodes will also premiere on Thursdays on the Belize Tourism Board Facebook and YouTube Channel.'

The BTB made a short video to recognize Sharon Matola at the 2022 Belize Tourism Awards.  Worth a watch.  

'Sharon Matola, founder of the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (BZTEC), was also posthumously recognized at the National Tourism Awards. We honor her legacy, achievements, and contributions to tourism and conservation in Belize. Mr. Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, Conservation Program Manager at BZTEC received the award on her behalf.'

The Belize Tourism Board awarded 15 students, 5 being from Cayo, scholarships for the National Tour Guide Program. Thanks, BTB!

"The scholarships valued at $18,400.00, aim to support the development of qualified Belizean Tour Guides through completion of the National Tour Guide Program. This scholarship covers cost of course, manuals, and internships.

The Belize Tourism Board is having their Innovation Challenge, and you could receive $10,000 for an innovative tourism idea or product.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTVyc0RtRPs/

"Enter in BTB’s “Innovation Challenge: Transforming Tourism for the Future!” Contest for a chance to win $10,000 for your innovative tourism product or service.

Visit the link to learn how to enter: https://bit.ly/3t6qkvv"

The Belize Tourism Board won an Industry Leader award from TripSavvy for their work to keep Covid 19 controlled and out of the country.  Congratulations, BTB!  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHHGZt0lDay/

"In an attempt to protect its small population of 400,000 while bringing back tourism to safeguard its economy, Belize has put in place some of the most restrictive visitor safety measures in the Caribbean...

In an attempt to protect its small population of 400,000 while bringing back tourism to safeguard its economy, Belize has put in place some of the most restrictive visitor safety measures in the Caribbean. With a “tourism safe corridor;” “Tourism Gold Standard” certification program for hotels, tour operators, and attractions; and comprehensive Health & Safety guidelines for visitors to follow, the government continues to balance public health during its “Phase 3” reopening."