Belize Named “World’s Leading Sustainable Destination”

Belize made a spectacular showing at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards, held on a beautiful Friday night in Spanish Lookout. The picturesque venue was graced by guests from around the globe, all gathered to celebrate excellence in sustainable travel. Out of the twenty-one winners announced, Belize shone brightly, especially towards the end of the ceremony. In a thrilling moment, Belize was crowned the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, one of four prestigious awards bestowed upon Belizean sustainable tourism initiatives. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the scene to capture the excitement. Here’s his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Friday night, the Oakridge venue in Spanish Lookout came alive with a celebration worthy of international recognition, as Belize hosted the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. Cultural performances enthralled invited guests, while there was more than enough cultural cuisine to go around.

 

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, WSTHA

“It all began in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler and he started to tell me about an incredible sustainable financial initiative that Belize was pioneering called the Blue Bond. I suppose it kinda sparked the idea about how do we share these stories. There is all of this good stuff going on in the world.”

 

That’s Justine Cooke, the Executive Vice President of the international award which highlights’ the tourism industry’s top sustainable initiatives. The award ceremony places the efforts of global leader in net positive tourism on the world stage.

 

Nicole Solano, C.E.O, Ministry of Tourism

“It really has been a wonderful night, recognizing not only those within Belize who were leaders in sustainability, but from around the world and I think that really is the thing that makes tonight so special, that we are able to see where we fit in the global landscape.”

A global landscape indeed, as Green Initiative, known for its restoration projects in Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil received the World’s Leading Sustainable Organization Award. Andy De Silva, the C.E.O of Hotel Emporium, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Leader of Tomorrow. And, this is just to name a couple of the awardees, as twenty-one winners in total were announced.

 

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“I think it is wonderful for them to get this first award ceremony to take place in Belize. It is very important, but it showcases and really brings out what Belize has been doing for many years. Now finally we are coming to that time of fruition where Belize is being looked upon really on the larger scale out in the international community.”

 

And, throughout the course of the night there wasn’t a shortage of awards for Belize-based sustainable tourism initiatives. The first award of the night, the Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project Award, went to Che’il Mayan Chocolate, headed by Julio and Eliadora Saqui in southern Belize.

 

Julio Saqui, Co-Owner, Che’il Mayan Chocolate

“The feeling is great. It is an absolutely great feeling. This is our first international award, but at the same time I feel great that the kind of work we are doing is finally paying off. We try to incorporate our work with culture and sell culture through and selling chocolate through culture.”

 

Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association, TASA, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative.

 

Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director, TASA

“We take a lot of gratitude and pride. We are humbled by this award, because it is a world award. And we competed with, as you saw, thousands of participants around the world. So, we are appreciative of this, and we continue to do the world.”

 

For its community engagement, the Belize Tourism Industry Association received the Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Program.

 

Linette Canto, Executive Director, BTIA

“So, through our festivals, our advocacy work, our training, we have really made an impact on the Belizean community and tourism industry. So, we are very happy and excited to receive this award tonight.”

 

The final award of the night, the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination Award, went to Belize. Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler says the award is a testament to the fact that Belize is a sustainable destination at core.

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“That shows that the policies, the belief we have as a people have been working. So, we need to do a lot more protection of our natural environment and cultural assets that we have. This just to showcase to the world that we are a sustainable destination at core.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.