The Belize Tourism Board assisted the country’s tourism stakeholders in strengthening Belize’s digital footprint by hosting the first ever Digital Marketing Summit at the Ramada Belize City Princess in Belize City on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.
The summit brought together nine international presenters to share their knowledge and vast information on how Belize can capitalize and optimize marketing opportunities on the internet. The objective was to build a stronger capacity within the tourism stakeholders so that they can work alongside the BTB’s ongoing aggressive social media and digital marketing campaigns.
The summit provided hoteliers and local businesses information for them to understand trends in the digital market and take the opportunity to share positive Belizean experiences to the world, in turn selling the Belizean experience. Topics of discussion included social media in 2015, new trends and tips in digital marketing, digital branding and digital content strategy.
“Believe it or not, we (Belizeans) don’t know how to put together our digital marketing strategy,” commented Mynor Larrieu, Digital Marketing Manager, BTB to the media. “It is very simple…Even though it is free, you have to take the time to sit down and draft that strategy to know what story you are selling, to sell that Belize unique story to get people to come to Belize. It’s hotel owners, tour operators; that was our main focus. However, we noticed earlier on when people started RSVPing that it was mostly hotels. So we started sending invitations to smaller properties because we also need smaller and medium size prosperities to do more for themselves so that we can all do more for Belize and have a larger online presence.”
Presenters at the summit including notable names such as National Geographic Travel Writer, Joshua Berman, Alexis Tirado – Managing Editor at www.TheFlama.com, Scott Largay – Director of Marketing at Largay Travel and Michael Chatfield – Creative Strategist. Local travel blogger Laurie Norton (Taco Girl) and photographer Karen Brodie, both residents of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, were part of the presenters/panelists at the summit as well.
Belize’s Digital Marketing Summit held in Belize City at the Ramada Belize City Princess
Presenters/Panelists Laurie Norton and Karen Brodie talk about Digital Content
Alexis Tirado, Managing Editor at www.theflama.com excites her audience with new trends and possibilities on social media
National Geographic Travel Writer, Joshua Berman
