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Upcoming Events
Belize Tourism Futures will evolve into a video podcast series for 2025. Please stay tuned for more details.
Past Events in 2024
BTF's monthly webinars in 2024 occurred every third Wednesday at 1pm, offering essential insights for tourism professionals to elevate products, businesses, and careers with industry-leading themes.
Sessions were grouped into three distinct live series that ran for a year from February to April, June to August, and October to December, with a month-long hiatus following each series to allow for preparation and improvement.
1. Crafting Unique & Immersive Experiences
This first-part of the webinar series focuses on bringing new ideas to Belize’s travel and tourism industry. We begin by exploring experiential tourism, showing how immersive experiences can connect visitors to Belize. We then offer strategies for creating memorable encounters that make Belize’s tours and attractions unforgettable. The series wraps up with a look at innovative hospitality, encouraging fresh approaches to improve guest experiences. This series aims to inspire tourism professionals to adopt innovative practices for standout experiences in Belize.
Intro to Experiential Travel - 21 Feb 2024
Dive into the world of experiential travel with our introductory webinar, where Lorenzo Gonzalez and Michael Soncina explore how immersive, authentic activities can transform tourism in Belize by engaging visitors deeply and connecting them to our rich cultural and natural heritage. Learn why creating memorable experiences is not just a trend but a crucial aspect of modern travel that resonates with the desire for meaningful adventures.
Creating Memorable Experiences - 20 Mar 2024
Discover the secrets behind unforgettable travel moments and apply these insights to memorable experiences you wish to create. Nadim Chin will guide you through crafting unique, personalized experiences that leverage a few design principles, with practical examples and a quick Q&A session to spark innovative ideas for elevating Belize's vibrant tourism scene.
Innovative Hospitality - 17 Apr 2024
Join Mara Jernigan as she dives into innovative hospitality through immersive culinary experiences. Using her experience of working across Belize, from Toledo to Placencia, Cayo to Ambergris Caye, Mara will demonstrate how creating unique experiences by fusing food, culture, and sustainability, along with the inherent hospitality of Belizeans, can ensure that guests cherish their trip to Belize for years.
2. Merging Technology & Sustainability in Tourism
Explore the synergy between technology, marketing, and sustainability in the second-part of the webinar series. We kick off with the role of technology in enhancing the visitors experience through things such as AI, mobile apps and virtual reality. Then, we shift to developing a strategic and marketing mindset, revealing how to align marketing efforts with long-term goals and craft compelling narratives that captivate travelers. The journey concludes with a focus on ecotourism, highlighting the crucial value of preserving Belize's eco-friendly reputation.
Technology in Tourism - 19 June 2024
Discover how technological advancements are revolutionizing tourist experiences and learn how to apply these insights to your own tourism and hospitality offerings. Dr. Abner Mendoza will guide you through the latest innovations in smart hotels, property management systems, AI, mobile apps, and business intelligence tools. Additionally, we'll address challenges such as cyber risks, data privacy, and integrating new technologies in existing systems.
Developing a Strategic and Marketing Mindset - July 17 2024
Learn to integrate strategic thinking with innovative marketing to boost Belize’s tourism. Led by Lorenzo Gonzalez, this session will teach you how to integrate strategic thinking with innovative marketing to boost Belize’s tourism. Learn to align your marketing efforts with long-term goals, conduct market analysis, segment your customers, and position your brand effectively. Discover how to craft compelling narratives that highlight Belize’s culture and natural beauty.
Ecotourism and Its Importance for Belize - 21 August 2024
Ecotourism is a global movement and local success story in Belize. Join us for a presentation by The Lodge at Chaa Creek to explore the significance of ecotourism, its impact on the economy, environment, and society, and the sustainable practices at one of Belize's leading eco-resorts. Learn about marketing ecotourism and the value of protecting Belize's hard-earned reputation.
3. Building Resilient Brands & Community Collaboration
This series focuses on branding, resilience, and community collaboration. We start by exploring innovative branding strategies that use storytelling and digital tools to create a lasting impact. Then, we transition to identifying and implementing cutting-edge trends that keep businesses ahead in an ever-evolving tourism landscape. The series wraps up with a focus on community collaboration, highlighting the essential role of collective efforts in driving sustainable tourism development and fortifying Belize’s tourism industry.
The Power of Storytelling in Branding - 16 Oct 2024
Led by Kelsey Hood, this webinar will explore how branding and storytelling can shape a community’s identity, welcoming tourists and strengthening local connections. Discover how a cohesive brand story not only attracts visitors but also builds a resilient local network, ultimately enhancing the tourism experience for all.
Innovating for Success in Tourism - 20 Nov 2024
In this session, Christy Valdez and Orion Lind from The Lodge at Chaa Creek share practical insights into integrating innovation in various aspects of a tourism business. They explored how technological, product, process, and service innovations can elevate operations and attract new customers. Using Chaa Creek as a case study, they provided actionable strategies that can be applied across Belize’s tourism industry.
Community and Collaboration - 18 Dec 2024
Discover how strategic partnerships and collaborating with competitors "co-opetition" can spark innovation, strengthen resilience, and uplift communities. Angela Wu, Manager of Belizing.com and Belize Digital Media shares impactful initiatives that have fueled growth and created lasting impact. Gain actionable strategies for building partnerships and aligning shared goals for mutual success.