BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 18, 2015–The Mexican Institute in Belize City was buzzing with activity this morning as a host of Mexican tourism and commercial companies participated in a tourism and commercial mission which was organized by the Embassy of Mexico to Belize and the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CANACO Chetumal).

The objective of the event was to promote products and services that Southern Quintana Roo has to offer, as well as to promote regional integration between Belizean and Mexican companies.

Amandala stopped by the event and spoke to Javier Aguilar, who is the Head of Economic and Tourism Affairs at the Mexican Embassy in Belize, and he elaborated on the purpose of the initiative.

He said, “Today we’re having a tourism and commercial mission where companies come in from Chetumal, Bacalar and Mahahual. Most of these companies work in the tourism sector and the purpose of the mission is so that companies from southern Quintana Roo can come and offer their wide array of products and services to the Belizean public, and also that tour operators and entrepreneurs from Belize link with their Mexican counterparts from that area to share ideas and find ways to increase interaction and business opportunities between companies, but particularly in this region.”

Aguilar noted that the mission is the third of its kind, but this is the first time that companies from Mexico’s tourism sector and other sectors such as construction and sports were invited.

Hotel Villanueva, which is located in downtown Chetumal, was also a part of the event, and we spoke with Jameli Moguel, a Belizean receptionist and representative of the company, who told us about one of the packages that they are presently offering to vacationers.

She said, “Right now we have a promotion for 699 pesos [per night] which includes breakfast and either a double bed or 2 single beds for 2 persons, and any additional person is only charged 100 pesos. We also have additional services that we provide at the hotel such as restaurant and pool, as well as special air- conditioned rooms and room service.”

“We are the only hotel that sells all-inclusive tour packages to Chetumal, Mahahual and Bacalar, one of which allows you to swim and interact with dolphins – it’s a very good experience. If you are going on a honeymoon, we have arrangements for those special events as well, and if you contact us, we will give you special prices”, she said.

Aguilar explained that the embassy uses the event as a way to strengthen and foster economic opportunities between both countries, and added that the participation of the Mexican companies, as well as the response of the Belizean companies that attended the event, was encouraging.