Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Great news for Belize: according to BTB numbers, overnight tourists are up almost 11%, bringing in quality tourism dollars, and cruise tourists are going down, meaning less deterioration to the reef.  Yes, 2012 was exceptional for tourism, especially overnight tourism, which had an overall 10.7% increase from last year.  In 2012, there were 26,872 more visitors than in 2011: 277,135 visitors for the entire year.  Cayo has obviously been busier in regards to tourism.

"The Belize Tourism Board wishes to extend hearty congratulations to all Belizeans, our partners and stakeholders.  It is through continuous hard work, collaboration and dedication that we are able to achieve such impressive results.  We look forward to an even greater year in 2013!"

The Cayo Welcome Center is preparting for the grand opening, and the Belize Tourism Board and the SISE Town Board is doing a call for singers and dancers for the event.  They are looking for talent from the Cayo district.  There will be prizes for the performers.  Call 632-3918 or 637-0433 for more information.

Great news for Belize.  While Belize City might make the top 10 worst list, Belize in generaly has gotten on Travel and Leisure's best list.

"The results are in and, according to the readers of Travel and Leisure magazine, Belize ranks among the world’s best destinations in 2012.  Just released to the Belize Tourism Board by the editors of the Travel and Leisure magazine, this August, Belize will be featured in three places: Travel and Leisure magazine, the official website TravelandLeisure.com, and in the iPad edition of the publication."

The Taste of Belize will be coming to Cayo this year!  It'll be at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel on December 1st, and the new Cayo Welcome Center on December 2nd.  The Belize Tourism Board is calling on all chefs, bartenders, and BBQ masters to join in the celebration of Belize.  Contact Perry Bodden at 247-2420 for more information.

"Imagine standing mere inches away from flaring and sizzling Belizean culinary masterpieces, simmering to perfection.  Surrender to the enticing aromas as it hypnotizes each of your senses-we invite you to experience ALL this and more at the anticipated, 'Taste of Belize'... 

The fusion of cultural dishes provides visitors with a true sense of Belize’s diversity.  Creativity is a must, and a variety of secret ingredients challenges these chefs to add depth to their already unique Belizean dish.  The winner then walks away with the title of, 'Belize’s Master Chef'."

Beltraide, along with Marie Sharp, Bel-Car, Cuello's, and the BTB, are representing Belize in Chetumal.  Looks like they are enjoying their time up there.

"Three companies: Marie Sharp, Bel-Car, Cuello's, and The Belize Tourism Board is accompanying BELTRAIDE at the Semana Regional Pyme Sur Sureste from October 17-19, 2012!! Here a summary of day 1!"

The Belize Tourism Industry Association got some great pictures from the opening night of BETEX.  Looks like they had quite a turnout, from businesses and customers.

The FCCA is having an Environmental Poster Competition!  Students that are 16 and younger can submit a poster.  The Belize Tourism Board is helping to promote the competition.

GUIDELINES:
• Must promote environmental awareness depicted in at least three (3) ways
• Must accompany a summary description along with a title of the poster:
• Posters size should be 22” x 28”
• Entries will be judged on the following criteria: Creativity, relevance to the theme, content, layout/design
• Entries must be accompanied by: Country, Name of Student, Date of Birth, Address, Telephone, School, School Address, Principal, School Telephone number
Categories:
Junior Division- 12 and under (contestant may not have passed his/her 13th birthday by March 12th, 2012)

Senior Division- 13-16 yrs (contestants may not have passed his/her 17th birthday
by March 12, 2012)
1st prize US $3,000
2nd prize US $1,500 3rd prize US $ 1,000

“I am happy to announce that for the first time in the history of Belize tourism we have attained the record overnight arrival in three of the twelve months of last year, namely January, July and December of 2011. As a result of these top performing months I am proud to say that 2011 will be recorded as only the second time in Belize’s history that we have exceeded the 250,000 overnight arrivals.”