Destination News

Belize Announces Revised Re-opening Plan for Tourism

The Prime Minister of Belize, the Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, made the official announcement that Belize’s international airport (BZE), the Philip Goldson International Airport will be opened on Oct. 1, 2020, as part of the country’s five-phase re-opening strategy for tourism. Belize previously announced it would reopen August 2020, however, in an overabundance of caution for visitors and residents alike, postponed the reopening until further notice. The opening of the international airport will kick-off Belize’s third phase of re-opening, allowing for a limited re-opening of international leisure travel with approved hotels only.

Enhanced health and safety protocols for hotels, restaurants and tour operators serve as the foundation for the destination’s newest “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition Program. This 9-point program seeks to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards by adapting new behaviors and procedures to ensure both employees and travelers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product.

Additional details on travel protocols and health and safety precautions will be released in the coming days to prepare travellers for their trip to Belize.

As the situation continues to remain fluid, these protocols are subject to change.  Travellers are advised to visit: https://www.travelbelize.org/health-safety or https://www.belizetourismboard.org/news-and-gallery/belize-covid-19-update/  to access current destination information before booking their trip to Belize. For questions or concerns, contact the Belize Tourism Board at info@belizetourismboard.org

Guyana Tourism Authority Launches SAVE Travel Guide

Georgetown, Guyana (1 September): The Guyana Tourism Authority has created and launched a digital SAVE Travel Guide, a first for Guyana’s tourism product aimed at the scientific, academic, volunteer, and educational travel sector.

Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and Educational (SAVE) travel is one of Guyana’s growing niche tourism segments, which is traditionally complementary to conservation tourism – one of the tourism pillars of Guyana. SAVE travel connects responsible travellers, whether they are students, researchers or academics, with partnering tour operators and lodges to execute tailored trips focused on personal growth, scientific research, contributing to the positive developments in society, and/or gaining knowledge or academic credit in Guyana’s rainforest and savannah regions.

The SAVE Travel Guide was developed to help formalise the Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and educational sector segments in Guyana and foster the development of increased SAVE travel experiences to Guyana’s lesser visited areas and to increase visitation to more popular tourism areas during the traditionally ‘off peak’ or rainy seasons. This allows tourism revenues to be more evenly distributed geographically and throughout the year.

This guide aims to strengthen the relationship between researchers, partner institutions, SAVE travel hosts and programme providers and raise awareness and market demand in Guyana’s key source markets –including the United Kingdom, Benelux , German speaking markets and North America.

Local organisations and lodges that benefit from these travellers include but are not limited to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Karanambu Lodge, Surama Eco-lodge and village, and Waikin Ranch.

Brian O’Shea, who holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and currently from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, was the lead author of the guide based on his extensive knowledge of this travel niche and personal SAVE travel experiences in Guyana.

“SAVE travel is driven by the desire to have close interaction with the nature, culture and people of a destination while advancing knowledge and contributing to the enhancement of the host country. I have long felt that Guyana has tremendous potential to develop strong mutual relationships in this realm and was honoured to be a part of this project,” said Brian O’Shea.

The former and current directors of the Guyana Tourism Authority shared similar sentiments: “Guyana is uniquely positioned to further tap into international research, study, and service programmes that celebrate everything the country offers as a leading sustainable destination and helps to further expand the positive impacts of tourism in country,” said Brian T. Mullis, former Director of the GTA.

Carla James, current Director, goes on to say, “I am extremely proud of the strides Guyana has made in the recent years to be known as a destination that offers authentic nature, cultural and conservation-based tourism experiences that help to give back to the country. The SAVE Travel Guide will help to strengthen awareness of this product offering in this growing niche market.”

This guide comes at a time when the travel and tourism landscape is shifting in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many travellers are looking at visiting less crowded, nature-based destinations which focuses on the development and conservation of nature and wildlife. The SAVE Travel Guide will help to further strengthen this narrative and can be used as a key tool for travellers planning their 2021 research, study and service trips.

You can learn more about SAVE travel in Guyana and view the Guyana SAVE Travel Guide at https://guyanatourism.com/exploreguyana/conservationtravel/savetravel/.

You can also directly view and download the Guyana SAVE Travel Guide at https://guyanatourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GTA_SAVE-Publication_single_pages_2020.08.21_FINAL.pdf.

Pure Grenada Recognized as a Safe Travels Destination by WTTC

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 27^th August, 2020 – The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognized the Government of Grenada’s efforts in implementing enhanced health and safety measures and creating a safe, gradual plan in restarting its Tourism industry. In a letter written by President and CEO of the WTTC Gloria Guevara to the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), she thanked the GTA for implementing health and safety measures in line with, “WTTC global Safe Travels protocols, developed to optimize sector wide recovery efforts by rebuilding confidence among travellers.”

This vote of confidence was given after the GTA submitted its health and safety protocols developed for the six subsectors of Tourism to the WTTC for review. The subsectors include: Attractions, Food and Beverage, Accommodation, Transportation, Tourism Services and Watersports. The World Tourism body approved the protocols and has now given its blessing for Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean to use its WTTC Safe Travels Stamp.

The Safe Travels stamp is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism, designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks. Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is now part of a fast-growing global network of important destinations that have committed to rebuilding confidence among travellers, and within the sector, so “Safe travels” can be enjoyed.

Speaking on the positive news, CEO of the GTA Patricia Maher said, “ We are delighted to be recognized internationally by the WTTC. The Ministry of Health, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Grenada Tourism Authority have worked closely together to develop protocols for a new way of doing business in the Tourism industry and train and certify more than 1800 personnel. Our partnership has brought us this recognition.”

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen commented, “We are elated that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) have accepted our protocols and they are of a global standard. This is an important message to share with our visitors as we resume commercial flights to the Maurice Bishop International Airport. We will use the Safe Travels stamp to showcase to the world that we are aligned with the WTTC Safe Travels protocols.”

Destination management authorities and companies using the stamp have confirmed that they have implemented, and will ensure ongoing compliance with, the Safe Travels protocols. The stamp is an important and powerful signal to travellers, workers and other stakeholders in the sector that Grenada has a consistent global approach to health and safety.

Caribbean G-8 Islands Collaborate on Intra-regional Tourism Marketing Campaign

St. Eustatius Dutch Caribbean, August 11, 2020…….As Caribbean destinations across the region reopen their borders in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of eight neighboring islands have joined together to rethink and re-imagine their tourism marketing strategy in the post-Covid era.  Nevis, St. Kitts, Saba, Statia, French Saint Martin, Dutch St. Maarten, Anguilla and St. Barths have come together to form a Caribbean Group of 8, recognizing that through a joint collaboration they can amplify their presence in the marketplace and create new travel possibilities and fresh itineraries for consumers.

“We are delighted to launch this new initiative,” said Jadine Yarde, CEO, Nevis Tourism Authority.  “Our common objective is to promote intra-regional travel, capitalizing on our proximity to each other, and today’s travelers’ desire to discover new experiences, collecting passport stamps along the way for bragging rights.”

The collaboration has produced an introductory video, with highlights of what makes each island special and different from their neighbors.  The exciting, two-minute video will be rolled out across all their social platforms starting the week of August 11, 2020.  The underlying message is that there is no better place than the Caribbean for travelers who are ready to venture forth when the time is right.

“St. Eustatius welcomes the coming together of all the neighboring Islands in producing this video which is testimony to our solidarity and our unison as one Caribbean destination, said Charles Lindo, Director of Tourism for Statia.”

“Saba welcomes this collaborative initiative and looks forward to welcoming visitors to the Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean, a safe haven where culture, history and nature abound,” stated Glenn Holm, Director of Tourism for the Saba Tourist Bureau.

Nevis, St. Kitts, Saba, Statia, Saint Martin, St. Maarten, Anguilla and St. Barths represent a combination of current and former Dutch, British and French island territories. Each island is a unique encounter, reflecting the vibrant Caribbean culture, creativity and hospitality which has made the region the preferred destination for travelers across the globe.  Together they offer a huge array of experiences, cuisines, art, music and literature, against the backdrop of stunning landscapes, spectacular beaches, land and water sports, and boutique accommodations at a range of price points.

For more information, and to view the video, visit  any one of the participating islands’ websites or social platforms: Nevis; St. Kitts; Saba;  Statia;  French Saint Martin;  Dutch St. Maarten;   Anguilla and St. Barths.