BTB Reports Travel Destinations Are In Good Shape

As of 10:00 a.m. MST today, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is reporting all key tourism destinations are in good shape following the passing of Hurricane Richard. The eye of Hurricane Richard reportedly made landfall around 7:45 pm MST on Sunday along the coast of Belize, roughly 20 miles south-southwest of Belize City. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 90 mph.

As of this morning, the Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) gave clearance for all in-country transportation services to resume operation, and the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize City has reopened, allowing all airline carriers to resume flights in to Belize. While NEMO posted its last official report online at 7:20 p.m. MST on Sunday, the BTB has learned major tourist destinations including San Pedro and Caye Caulker have electricity and running water, and are in good condition. Destinations like Placencia, Punta Gorda and Hopkins are reportedly in good shape, however, electricity has not yet been restored.

While damage assessments are still underway, early reports indicate the areas primarily affected by Hurricane Richard are in and around Belize City. Richard’s overall impact in Belize City includes flooding, power outages and downed trees. Any additional information regarding Hurricane Richard can be found through NEMO’s website, www.nemo.org.bz or by calling the emergency line at (501) 822-0153.

Those attempting to reach family members or loved ones vacationing in Belize may experience some communication delays with e-mail and phone. However, the public is encouraged to visit the BTB’s emergency online site, www.belizeemergency.net, for the latest updates and information regarding any and all restoration efforts.

Vote for the Stars of Belize Tourism!

Vote by midnight May 13th, 2010 for the 10th Annual National Tourism Awards!

The Belize Tourism Board thanks all participants for submitting nominations for the 10th Annual National Tourism Awards. Again, we welcome your participation in selecting from the top four nominees in each category.

Deadline for VOTING is midnight May 13th, 2010.

Awards:
• Destination of the Year *New*
• Environmental Organization of the Year
• Receptive Service of the Year
• Hotel of the Year
• Restaurant of the Year
• Small Hotel of the Year
• Tour Operator of the Year
• Tour Guide of the Year
• Frontline Person of the Year
• Cultural Award of the Year
• Small Vendor of the Year

Judging Process:
The Belize Tourism Board will ensure that the judging process is fair and credible. With your votes on the finalists, representatives of the BTB's Board and management team will select a panel of judges comprised of representatives from the tourism industry (both private and public sector). The identities of the judges are kept confidential.

The two highest votes in each category are then presented to the judging panels and nominees are assessed on how well they meet the award criteria. These semi-finalists are then further reviewed, and may even be subject to site visits or interviews. The panel of judges then confers and picks the winner for each category.

To submit a nomination to the Belize Tourism Board please click here
or use the link below:

http://www.travelbelize.org/awardsvote/


To view past winners visit belizetourism.org