1. The Belize Travelcast
  2. Episode 18

Belize Awaits: How Belize is Preparing for Post-COVID Tourism

Ted Tejada 55 minutes  (1)


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In the spirit of social distancing, Ted Tejada joins us remotely via telephone to discuss how Belize has fared during the coronavirus pandemic and the efforts to prepare for visitors after our borders are reopened. Ted is the president of the Belize Hotel Association and general manager of the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. In this episode, he gives us some insight into how the tourism industry in Belize was caught off guard, just as the rest of the world, but how the country then took decisive action to mitigate the spread. Belize now ranks 5th globally as one of the most prepared countries in the world to lift its COVID-19 lockdown measures. As of this recording, Belize had recorded 18 cases, with only 2 active cases remaining.

While the borders, including the international airport, are still closed, the country continues to make post-COVID preparations. Ted gives us some insight into some of the policies and procedures being developed by different organizations in Belize such as the Belize Hotel Association, National Institute of Culture and History, Belize Airport Authority, and the Belize Tourism Board. A collective effort is being made throughout the country to put protocols and policies in place, with a phased reopening being planned. Ted reaffirms that Belize is a destination worth waiting for, and he assures us that everything possible is being done to ensure the safety of guests when tourism gets back on track.

Airport Shuttle
Belize Ground Shuttle is a professional shuttle company operating daily shared shuttle service for travelers between San Ignacio, Placencia, Hopkins and the Belize International Airport ... more(BZE).

The Belize Hotel Association shares some examples of guidelines and protocols that Belize hotel and lodging facilities can use to develop their own COVID-19 procedures.
Belize is a destination worth waiting for and we await your return. We know it's going to be a long road to recovery, but we remain optimistic and vigilant in containing the spread of the disease in our country. For people who may still be skeptical about if or when to come, Ted reminds us that Belize has never enjoyed mass tourism and therefore social distancing has always been the norm. Visitors come here to escape. Belize’s small population and wide-open spaces, means we’re never overcrowded with tourists. 60% of our country is protected. It’s a great place to restore and reconnect after months of lockdown.

Belize remains cautious, with a very strategic plan for reopening. The country still remains in a state of national emergency with very strict social distancing rules.

Click Here for information and updates about travel to Belize.
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Guest Picture

Ted Tejada

Teodoro Tejada – GM – Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel and President of the Belize Hotel Association.
In 2000 Mr. Tejada completed his Bachelor’s degree, in Business Administration, from the University of Belize. He immediately started his career at The Radisson Hotel where he worked as an intern in the accounting department for three months. Soon after his internship, Mr. Tejada was employed at the Princess Hotel where he worked for six years in different capacities. In the summer of 2006, Mr. Tejada moved to the Best Western Biltmore Plaza as the Director of Sales and Marketing. In 2008, Mr. Tejada received an opportunity to work as the Director of Sales and Marketing and Assistant GM, at the Best Western Seven Oaks Inn in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 2014, Ted returned to Belize to manage the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza, a position he currently holds.

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Is there a hopfull date in site of oprning the country
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Mike L
As of now the tentative date is sometime in July for the airport reopening. As you know, things are already slowly opening back locally and you can already visit hotels and some national parks and sites.
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