Top travel agents conclude romance familiarization tour to Belize

Belize City, Friday, March 5th 2018:  A team of 10 travel agents from the United States and Canada have concluded a one-week familiarization tour to Belize, from February 23 to March 2, after getting a first-hand experience of what Belize has to offer as a Wedding and Honeymoon destination. This was the first of its kind organized by the Belize Tourism Board.

The team from the United States included representatives from FROSCH New York,  Dreams and Destinations, Kiel Travel and Alacrity Lifestyle.

The team from Canada was composed of representatives from Romantic Planet Vacation, Now Destinations, McTavish Travel, Crystal Water Weddings, TTI Travel and Travel Agent Next Door.

As part of the tour, the team visited Placencia where they experienced a sunset cruise offered by Splash Dive Center. They also had the opportunity to visit top resorts such as The Ellysian Boutique Hotel, Chabil Mar Villas, Laru Beya Resort, Robert’s Grove, Belize Ocean Club, the Placencia Hotel, Naia Resort & Spa among others.

Placencia is a gorgeous emerald peninsula in southern Belize with 16 miles of white sandy beaches which offer an ideal location to celebrate a wedding or spend quality time during a honeymoon. The Caribbean sea is to the east and the charming Placencia lagoon lies to the west looking towards the Maya Mountains on the mainland. The entire peninsula can be easily navigated on a beach cruiser bike but the busy part of Placencia lies in the south where the visitor will find the greater concentration of coffee shops, bistros, internet cafes, the harbor, guest houses, taxi and bus station, banks and local restaurants.

From Placencia, the travel agents journeyed to Hopkins where they visited Villa Verano and Almond Beach Resort. They also travelled to the Cayo District, where they had the opportunity to experience first-hand the services offered by Mystic River Resort, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, the Lodge at Chaa Creek and Ka’ana Resort. The agents also visited the Mayan site of Xunantunich where they had the opportunity to see an authentic Mayan wedding and vows renewal conducted by a Maya Shaman and organized by Signature Belize Wedding & Events, a Belizean wedding planner.

While in the Cayo District, the group visited the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. As the oldest and largest protected forested area in Belize, Mountain Pine Ridge (MPR) covers 300 square miles of area, where visitors can find a sharp contrast to the tropical landscape.  This pine tree-dominated forest is more than just a vast wooded area: visitors find deep ravines, traverse dramatic granite expanses atop the Maya Mountains and observe meandering rivers, streams, waterfalls and pools amid the sweet fragrance of the evergreens. It is also the home of the Rio Frio Caves, and the Rio On pools where visitors can relax in the swirling pools especially during the summer months. While visiting the MPR the travel agents were able to tour Hidden Valley Resort and Gaia River Lodge.

From the Cayo District, the team travelled to San Pedro Ambergris Caye, where in addition to enjoying a sunset cruise they visited Mahogany Bay Village, El Secreto Resort, Portofino Beach, Matachica Resort & Spa, Las Terrazas, Coco Beach Resort, Grand Caribe, Ramon’s Village Resort, the Phoenix Resort, Banyan Bay Suites, Xanadu Island Resort and Victoria House, among others.

In San Pedro, the group viewed a wedding re-enactment at Mahogany Bay Resort Beach Club, organized by Confetti, a wedding planner and decoration company. The group also had the opportunity to snorkel at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

The team also had a chance to experience the unique cuisine offered by various Belizean restaurants, including Mayan Beach Bistro and Crave House of Flavors, Blue Water Grill.

The travel agents departed the country on Friday, March 2nd, and were very impressed with Belize’s attractions and warm hospitality.

“Belize is amazing. I have found that there is something for everybody, for honeymooners, for couples, for nature travelers, family, great relaxation, amazing spas as well as beautiful hotels very upscale to the clientele,” said Belinda Serrano from FROSCH New York. She added: “Belize has a lot more to offer, the architecture of the hotels is amazing. The people are very friendly. Belize is unbelievable!”

The Honeymoon and Weddings is a growing niche market throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Belize’s panoramic views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea, swaying palm trees, charming white sandy beaches, ancient Mayan cities, amazing sunsets and exotic flora offer a picture-perfect backdrop that inspires couples to say those magical words at the right moment.

The travel agents’ visit to Belize is also part of BTB’s unwavering marketing efforts to promote Belize as a Curious Place and the best honeymoon and wedding destination in Central America and the Caribbean region.