No Caye Caulker Lobsterfest for 2011

The San Pedro Sun was able to confirm that there will be NO Lobsterfest in Caye Caulker this year. This was necessary due to a decrease in support from the business community over the past years. The Lobsterfest Committee is a non-profit organization, and without the necessary support, the decision not to have a Lobsterfest was necessary. The main beneficiaries of Lobsterfest are the business community.

Our investigations further revealed that this is NOT the end of Lobsterfest for Caye Caulker. The team responsible for the event will be pounding the streets and working tirelessly immediately after the September Celebrations, preparing for Lobsterfest 2012.

With Lobsterfest not happening; you may ask, “What can we do in Caye Caulker instead?” Well, unconfirmed reports are that Lazy Lizard is planning a private Lobsterfest at The Split. Apart from that, Joanna Arellano, the Chairperson for the Caye Caulker Marketing Committee informed The San Pedro Sun that they have organized 2011’s Caye Caulker Cool Seafood Fiesta. The fiesta is scheduled to span two days, Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th at the Central Park/Basketball Court. The event promises to be filled with music, fun games, lots of food and drinks. Times for the fiesta are Friday 12:00pm until and on Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm.

Ground breaking ceremony held for newly named "John Greif Airport"

A ground breaking ceremony for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the airstrip was held today Thursday, December 16, 2010 on location at the San Pedro Airstrip. On hand for this momentous occasion were Michael Singh (current CEO of Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Culture), Captain Carlos Salazar, President of the Board of Directors (COCESNA), Mr. Bayardo Paguada, Executive President (COCESNA), Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. (Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture) and Mr. Kenworth Tillett (Belize Ports Authority).

Minister Heredia addresses the gathered crowd.

The airstrip’s new name was also announced at the groundbreaking ceremony. What was always known as the San Pedro Airstrip is now going to be called “John Greif Airport”.Read more in the next issue of The San Pedro Sun.

Tourism Ministers of Guatemala and Belize meet in San Pedro

The Minister of Tourism of Guatemala, Honorable Dr. Jorge Samayoa and the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. met today. The meeting was a part of a courtesy call made by Samayoa to Heredia at his San Pedro Town Office. The Guatemalan Minister was accompanied by the Head of Marketing for Tourism Sylvia Paiz de Estrada and the Central American Integrated System (SICA) Executive Director Mercedes Melendez de Mena.
The delegation of three met with Minister Heredia, who was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Belize Tourism Board of Directors Miriam Roberson, Director of Tourism Selenie Matus and recently appointed Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Lindsey Garbutt.
In November, Minister Samayoa was appointed as the Minister of Tourism of Guatemala. He is scheduled to take over the SICA Pro Tem Presidency of Tourism Ministers early next year, a position currently held by Minister Heredia. Both Ministers and their teams met behind closed doors where a number of issues were discussed.
In a brief interview with Minister Heredia, he said that Minister Samayoa visit is part of his planned visits to all Central American Tourism Minister. The visit is ahead of taking the Pro Tem Presidency of SICA Tourism Minister early next year.
Following the courtesy call Minister Heredia hosted the delegation to lunch.

The 10th Annual BTB Tourism Awards - the winners..

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, the BTB held it's tenth annual Tourism Awards ceremony honoring those exceptional service providers in the tourism industry. The Best Western Biltmore Plaza was the venue for tourism stakeholders, nominees and invited guests.

After a brief welcome, the national anthem and invocation, the awards were announced and the winners are as follows:

Cultural Award of the Year:
Three Kings of Belize

Other Finalists: Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project, Governor General of Belize, Battle of the Drums Competition and Show (PG)

Frontline Person of the Year:

Benjamin Awe (Chaa Creek)

Other Finalists: Natalie Ranguy (Chabil Mar), Patricia Rodriguez (San Ignacio Resort Hotel), Jubalos Kib (Seaside Cabañas)

Tour Guide of the Year:

Eloy Quevas (Monkey River Retreat)

Other Finalists: Rudolf Thompson, Dwayne Young (Joy Tours), Mauricio Aguilar (Lamanai Outpost Lodge), Luis Godoy (Belize Nature Travel)

Small Vendor of the Year:

Tutti Frutti Ice Gelateria

Other Finalists: Cotton Tree Chocolate, Sings Gift Shop (Belize City), Maya Ant & Bee (Punta Gorda)

Restaurant of the Year:

Blue Water Grill (San Pedro)

Other Finalists: Bonefish Grille (Singing Sands Inn), Red Ginger (The Phoenix), French Connection (Placencia)

Receptive Service of the Year:

Museum of Belize

Other Finalists: ambergriscaye.com, Le Petit Cafe, Island Adventures Golf Cart Rental

Environmental Organization of the Year:

International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT - Belize)

Other Finalists: Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), Placencia Moorings Masters, Southern Environmental Association

Small Hotel of the Year:

The Lodge at Big Falls

Other Finalists: Seaside Cabañas, Villa Boscardi, Black Orchid Resort

Tour Operator of the Year:

Caves Branch Adventure Company

Other Finalists: Avadon Divers, Grumpy & Happy Enterprises, Searious Adventures

Hotel of the Year:

Jaguar Reef Lodge

Other Finalists: Xanadu Island Resort, Ka'ana Boutique Resort, Chabil Mar Villas

Destination of the Year:

Hopkins, Stann Creek

Other Finalists: San Pedro - Ambergris Caye, Placencia - Stann Creek, San Ignacio - Cayo

Minister's Award:

Brian Young Sr.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Celi McCorkle, Holiday Hotel

Special Awards:

Green Globe Recognition:

Chaa Creek, Hamanasi Lodge, Xanadu Resort (San Pedro)

Ingrid, Martin and Blanca of Xanadu Resort in San Pedro

Rudolf Thompson - CPR saved a life

Congratulations to all winners and nominees!!