Hamanasi Happenings » tourism

BTIA Hopkins Launches Tourism Master Plan

hamanasi — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:34:01 +0000

PRESS RELEASE February 15, 2010…

Lead by BTIA Hopkins President and Hamanasi Resort General Manager, Andrew Usher, BTIA Hopkins unveiled it’s agro-eco cultural tourism master plan on Friday, February 12, 2010. the plan was crafted with the assistance of the International Institute of Cooperation and Agriculture (IICA) Tourism and Agriculture Specialist, Ms. Ena Harvey, and included two months of consultations with the wider Hopkins village community.

The plan’s key areas and projects seek to be realistic and representational of community needs. IICA Country Representative, Dr. Gabriel Rodriquez Marques, remarked on his pride to be able to have played a vital role in the development of the plan and formulation of a forward movement for the industry in Hopkins.The plan focuses attention on critical issues of infrastructure, sanitation and environment, health services, security and fire service.

Andrew Usher, welcomed all invited guests and dignitaries, thanking them for their attendance, interest and partnership. He expressed the strong commitment that moving ahead will continue to employ the full participation of the entire Hopkins community. Village Council Chairman, Mr. Francis Lewis, remarked that the entire process was a welcomed one as it was a continuation of work with the partnership of the tourism community in Hopkins.

Belize Named World "Top 10 Ethical Destination"!

hamanasi — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:14:00 +0000

World’s Top 10 Ethical Destinations Revealed

BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Are you the kind of traveler who wants to have a great time AND feel good about where your travel budget is going? Ethical Traveler’s new report, “The World’s Best Ethical Destinations,” identifies the 10 countries in the developing world that are best protecting their natural environments, promoting responsible travel, and building a tourism industry which provides real benefits to local communities.

“There’s no doubt that worldwide interest in mindful, responsible travel is growing – not only among travelers, but within the countries that host us,” says Jeff Greenwald, executive director of Ethical Traveler and co-author of the report. “Now is the perfect time for savvy travelers and well-intentioned governments to evolve together, each encouraging the other. This is especially true in the developing world, where travel and tourism can be developed as lucrative, low-impact alternatives to forestry, mining, and the destruction of ocean habitats.”

In alphabetical order, the best ethical travel destinations for 2010 are:

Argentina

Belize

Chile

Ghana

Lithuania

Namibia

Poland

Seychelles

South Africa

Suriname

“In drafting our report, we use scores of information sources — including publicly available data — to rate each country’s genuine commitment to environmental protection, social welfare and human rights,” says Christy Hoover, co-author of the report. “Data sources include the United Nations Development Program, Human Rights Watch, Columbia University, Reporters Without Borders, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and many others. Private interviews with NGO leaders are part of the process, as well.”

Hamanasi Resort holds Industry Awareness Training

hamanasi — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:34:00 +0000

PREVENTION OF THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

OF CHILDREN IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR

On August 26th, 2009 Hamanasi held the Implementation of the Code of Conduct Training presented by Mrs. Maria Vega, representative of Belize Tourism Industry Association and NOPCAN. A total of 17 of Hamanasi front line staff were present for the training. Since 2004, BTIA, along with regional tourism counterparts, has agreed on a Regional Plan of Action to address the worldwide problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The commitment of the tourism industry is to “disseminate and apply the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism as approved by the World Tourism Organization, especially with regard to the protection of children and adolescents”. Hamanasi has been a member of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children for 2 years. The training objective was to bring about awareness of the exploration of children in the hospitality and tourism industry. Hopefully, with more awareness comes more demand for action, on a worldwide basis, to stop these unacceptable acts.

Hamanasi Attends Green Globe Eco-Friendly Workshop

hamanasi — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:20:00 +0000

Green Globe International Sensitization Workshop

Members of Hamanasi’s “Green Team” attended the Green Globe Sensitization Workshop on July 30th, 2009, in Punta Gorda Town, Belize.
This workshop was an introduction to the International Center of Responsible Tourism and Belize Third World Conference that will be held in October. The workshop was presented by Mr. Abil Castaneda. ICRT is based out of Leeds Metropolitan University in England.

Belize won the bid to have the 2009 Third World Conference to be held for the first time in Central America.
Special presentation was given by Mr. Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe International.

Mr. Guido gave detailed information on the process for certification, products and programs, and the benefits of Green Globe International certification for maximizing sustainability with RevMax, Green Globe Index and Green Pass.
Hamanasi’s primary goal is to be certified by this renowned certifying agency. We are in the process of registering for Green Globe certification and are on track to be certified by end of the year, 2009.

Minister of Tourism Visits Best Belize Resort

hamanasi — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:07:00 +0000

Belize Minister of Tourism, Honorable Manuel Heredia, holds the #1 Hotel in Belize award while staying at Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Belize. Hamanasi Resort was recently awarded the title at the 2009 Industry Awards Ceremony.

Hamanasi Resort named "BELIZE HOTEL OF THE YEAR" !!!

hamanasi — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:23:00 +0000

BTB Hosts 11th Annual Industry Presentation

Belize City, Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 –

The Belize Tourism Board, today held its 11th Annual Industry Presentation at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza under the theme “Be one in Tourism, Be one with Belize.” Over 350 tourism stakeholders and industry partners gathered to take part in this annual event where Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort was named:

“BELIZE HOTEL OF THE YEAR”

On hand to accept the award were Hamanasi’s Owner, Dana Krauskopf; General Manager, Andrew Usher; and Food & Beverage Manager, Jessica Usher.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Hamanasi's GM Elected to Belize Tourism Industry Association Board

hamanasi — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:32:00 +0000

STANN CREEK CHAPTER ELECTS NEW OFFICERS BELIZE CITY, Belize (March 5, 2008) – The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) visited its Stann Creek members on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 to elect new officers to the board of their destination and to launch the Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) 2008.

Hamanasi is proud to announce that its General Manager, Andrew Usher, has been elected as Vice Chair of the Stann Creek BTIA Chapter.

Congratulations, Andrew!!!