7 News Belize

Tourism Stakeholders Get Together For Hurricane Relief
posted (October 4, 2017)
The Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Barbuda, Puerto Rico, and Dominica are a just a few of the Caribbean countries that were pummeled by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Many in these countries lost everything and are now forced to rebuild their homes from nothing.

Belize and other Caribbean countries have pitched in to help with the long road to recovery. BEL has sent linesmen to assist with electricity restoration in the US Virgin Islands, and now The Belize Tourism Board in Collaboration with Belize Tourism industry stakeholders has launched a "Dollar for the Caribbean Relief Fund Campaign". This morning the BTB along with the Belize Hotel Association and Belize Tourism Industry Association came together to explain:

Noriko Gamero, Belize Tourism Board Director of Cruise and Destination Planning
"We really want to take on the lead of donating a dollar for every arrival for the month of October and we are reaching out to all stakeholders to then create this multiplier effect and also donate a dollar so for example if you have a hotel and you have 50 guests you can donate $50. That same guest might go on a tour and then the tour operator might take 10 of those guests and they will donate ten dollars and so forth."

John Burgos, Executive Director of the Belize Tourism Industry Association
"The private sector is definitely going to be encouraging our members to donate not only in the manner that the BTB has requested but consider additional funds that can be donated."

Ted Tejada, President of the Hotel Association
"We want to be able to help them in a small amount by contributing whatever we can the initiative that BTB has started is a dollar per person anyone that wants to contribute more than that is welcomed."

Gamero says since the project launched this week she has seen a very positive response from the different stakeholders such as water taxis, hotels, airlines to name a few. If you are interested in making a donation you can do so at the Heritage Bank under the name Belize Tourism Board Hurricane Relief and the account number is 9131283.





A Garifuna Gala For the Karifuna

Tourism Industry stakeholders aren't the only Belizeans assisting with relief efforts. The National Garifuna Council is also pitching in. The council has pledged to donate $1000 to Dominica. Dominica holds a special place in their hearts because it is the home of the Kalinago people - who are indigenous inhabitants of the Lesser Antilles, and ancestral relatives of the Garifuna. About 3,000 of them currently live in Dominica and are suffering the effects of the hurricane. The council is holding a gala to help raise funds this weekend in Dangriga. Public Relations Officer Gwen Gonzalez told us how you can help.

Gwen Nunez Gonzalez, Public Relations Officer for the National Garifuna Council
"The purpose of the gala is to raise needed fund for the different initiatives that we have from the National Garifuna COuncil and we have also pledged 1000 Belize dollars for our brothers and sisters in Dominica because of the devastation that happened because of the hurricane."

"You will eat a three-course meal, you will dance, you will just have a good time."

"You are encouraged to come in the different colors and you don't have to come in a cultural attire. If you do that's perfect but we don't want that to be a hindrance."

The event will take place on Saturday, October 7th at the Ecumenical Auditorium in Dangriga and starts at 8 pm. The tickets are $50. If you can't make the event but you still want to donate you can do so at the Scotiabank Belmopan branch to do the account number 193 9304.





Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize