We've been reporting on the Mundo Maya initiative since the early 90's -and this week the organization is in Placencia for the Mundo Maya Exchange.
The event is co hosted by the BTB and the BTIA and the idea is now - as ever - to promote cross border touristic travel within the Mundo Maya region. Here's more from the second day of the event.
Nicole Usher Solano, CEO, Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations
"So Belize is hosting the 81st Regional Commission Meeting. So we have all the countries here from the Mundo Maya, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. And what we're doing is we're sitting together and discussing a number of matters, business matters, for the organization."
"What's very, very important for this particular session, we have incorporated the private sector. So we have public and private sitting together, having these discussions, trying to determine what it is necessary and best practices for the region."
"There are several matters, including strategic planning. We have events coming up, such as regional, we're planning a regional event. We had a discussion just now about an important trade show that will present all of our countries together as one Mundo Maya region."
"All countries do their own marketing and they do their own activities and events. But the point of this organization is to bring the countries together and present ourselves as one region that is focused on the Maya history and the heritage."
"But it's not only about archaeological sites, it's about the living Maya, it's about what we offer as a region, in addition to just the Maya history and heritage adventure, all of the things that we offer in each of our individual destinations as well."
Efron Perez, President, BTIA
"I think our participation here as private sector or as BTIA certainly allows us to be able to be part of the conversation on a regional level for us to be able to share experiences based on our private sector interests."
"And so I think that is a really good step for us, more so also because the BTIA also holds the pro tempore presidency for the Chamber of Tourism of Central America and the Dominican Republic. And so we come in representation not only nationally, but also regionally, for us to be able to have that conversation and really see how best we will be able to further develop the Mundo Maya brand and also see how to incorporate the Central American brand within the same, both organization at the same time."
