7 News Belize

Be A Tourist In Your Own Country, for Free
posted (August 15, 2019)
"Be a tourist in your own country" - we've all been hearing that mantra for decades, but, who can afford it?

Well, the BTB has a free solution for the creative types. The new Belizean Traveller Campaign has an interesting twist. They want to boost domestic tourism from August to the end of October - which I the customary low season - and here's how you can do it for free. Cherisse Halsall reports:

Cherisse Halsall reporting
We've all seen the lavish images of Belize's finest tourist attractions: From lush jungles, sandy beaches, Belize has something for every type of traveler.

For most of us, however, those images are as close as we get; it often seems that tourist attractions are just for tourists.

The BTB has tried to change that perception in recent years and encourages Belizeans to become tourists in their own country.

It's not only important from a nationalistic perspective, but from a financial one as domestic tourism is an important source of revenue for local hotels and resorts.

Jocelle Stephen, Manager, Marketing and Industry relations
"As you know every year we want to work on the Belizean traveller campaign because domestic tourism is just as important as international tourism. It all helps in contributing to one of the largest earners to the GDP. We wanted this year to be a bit more digitally focused and so we want to kinda enhance our marketing materials. Since the launch of the campaign about four years ago we had some ads that highlighted the different regions, so we had seven ads that we're running but we wanted to be a bit more creative and so we decided to focus on three themes or three market segments the family, friends, and the couple."

This morning they launched a marketing campaign that shows Belizeans doing the stuff that tourists do. The ads show that travel in Belize is for everyone- couples, families, and friends. And the person making the pitch is Marlyn Vansen

MARLYN VANSEN, Entertainer
"BTB they were generous enough to include me in this campaign and have me be the face of the campaign: are you a Belizean traveler."

And to prove that you are a Belizean traveler, the BTB is asking you to submit videos detailing your ideal Belizean vacation for the chance to win a $4000.00 all expenses paid vacation to your preferred district's attractions.

Jocelle Stephen
"I think this is a campaign that anybody can take the opportunity of. All you need to do is to send a video. There is no cost; there is no barrier to entry there. Also you heard from BHA today they are also partnering with us and they're offering discounts. They mentioned a discount as low as $89.00 per night, you really can't beat that."

One of last year's winners told us how he beat out the competition:

JAIME RODRIGUEZ, 2018 Travel Campaign Participant
"On the night of the draw i had the cellphones lined off on the couch. I had three entries in the competition and my wife had four. The clock struck a little after 8pm and there was my cell phone lighting up. I thought it was one of my buddies calling me then the first voice I heard was Mr. Martinez. I couldn't believe it I actually won something for the first time in my life."

The Belizean Traveller campaign is a joint venture between the BTB and the Belize Hotel Association.

Local influencer, Marlyn Vansen, will hit the Belizean Traveller campaign road trail and will be posting updates on her travels on her Facebook and Instagram pages.

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