Vive vuela: Centroamerica es tuya – Live, fly, Central America is yours. This is the new initiative TACA is offering to six of its seven Central American countries, include Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with the exception of Panama, (of which they presently do not fly), in order to help boost tourist arrivals in these regions.
And while traveling and the tourism industry for Belize and other Central American countries looks even cheaper and more affordable for all, especially with this new initiative to help boost tourism in Central America, the figures have yet to reflect whether the initiative will work for all.
A press conference was held last night in San Salvador, El Salvador, with representatives from the six Central America countries.
Representatives of the media from the six countries were invited, but only about five reporters from Belize made it to the event.
TACA’s key representatives were Lic. Roberto Kriete, the President/Chairman, and Estuardo Ortiz, the Vice President.
It was reported that over a one-year period, TACA sold 1.6 million tickets in Central America, with 50% arriving from tourist destinations in the above-mentioned regions. In comparison to 2004, sales of tickets showed a 20% increase, with 170 thousand additionally travelling to the regions.
The record also shows that tourism in Central America grows 10% for every six years.
According to TACA’s marketing manager, the aim of TACA, where marketing is concerned, is to offer several attractive packages. For instance, during the Holy week (the Easter period, which falls in March and sometimes April), a 60% discount is given to tourists.
During the question-and-answer segment, Belize’s Kanine Manuel, Associate editor/Senior Reporter of The San Pedro Sun, posed the question of the role of Belize in this new initiative.
Oxley, the Belize representative for the Belize Ministry of Tourism, addressed Manuel’s question.
According to Oxley, “Belize has a very unique position, in that it is strategically placed in Central America and is a part of CARICOM, and as a result, the country is able to build an alliance with both TACA and Central America.”
She said that over the years, TACA has become very good friends with Belize, one of the destinations that has benefited from this regional integration.
“We also unite in terms of trying to grow regional tourism to the destination,” added Oxley.
It is Oxley’s belief that more and more, the statistical data shows an increased interest with Central America and Belize, and she applauded TACA for playing an important role in the increase.
Oxley, after the one hour press briefing, and when asked whether or not Belize is prepared for the increase of tourists, stated that she believes Belize is ready because they continue to grow the industry especially during the summer months when visitors frequent these regions.