WE DID IT! Belize Tour Operator of the Year 2019

Over 30 long years in Belize and we finally won Tour Operator of the Year!

Island Expeditions Wins Tour Operator of the Year

We couldn’t have done it without all of the great people on our team in Belize. A big thank you goes out to everyone on the team that ensures each guest has an amazing experience.

Thank you to our guides that take guests through new and exciting experiences.

Thank you to our team that keeps our facilities clean and safe.

Thank you to our team that continues to improve our environmental impacts on the area.

Thank you our team that continues to improve the relationships and impacts we have on communities we operate in.

As you can see we can’t thank our team enough for how much care and consideration they take on a daily basis as well as continuing to improve our experiences year after year.

Also, a BIG THANK YOU to all of our guests that are up for an experience to “Rekindle their inner wild.” Our trips are a little bit different than your all inclusive vacations that’s for sure. But all of our guests always have a great time, enjoy amazing food and have a sense of accomplishment trying the variety of activities available to them every day.

This achievement is a reflection of the variety and excellence we provide on all our trips from the Barrier Reefs and Coral Atolls to Rainforest, Rivers and Ruins.

It was a tough battle to get to the top. We had a 120 point scale with factors including client experience, safety, employee training, environmental impacts and community involvement. Luckily we have a few key pillars of success:

Belize Tourism Board Awards

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) recognized the top tourism performers during its 17th National Tourism Awards Gala Event held on October 19th in Belize City.

This signature event recognized Belize tourism professionals in the areas of Tour Guide of the Year, Front Line Personnel of the Year, Tour Guide Association of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Small Accommodation of the Year, Tour Operator of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Hospitality Award of the Year, Site of the Year, Lifetime Tourism Award, Major Festival and Event of the Year and the Minister’s Award.

The winners were verified by a panel of judges.

Winners of the Belize Tourism Board National Tourism Awards

We congratulate all the winners of the Belize Tourism Board National Tourism Awards as well as all nominees for their excellent work throughout the year!

Belize Tour Operator of the Year - Island Expeditions

We are humbled and honoured to win the BTB Tour Operator of the Year 2019! In the photo below, our General Manager in Belize, Andy Aspinall is receiving the award (missing is his counterpart Wasani Miranda). A big thank you goes to the entire team at Island Expeditions on this wonderful accomplishment.

General Manager, Andy Aspinall Receiving the BTB Tour Operator of the Year 2019 Award

Belize Tourism Site of the Year - Half Moon Caye Natural Monument

The Half Moon Caye Natural Monument won the Belize Tourism Board 2019’s Tourism Site of the Year! A big congratulations go out to the Belize Audubon Society who co-manage the Half Moon Caye, Belize’s First Protected Area. This is also an incredible recognition for BAS as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year.

Belize Audubon Society receiving the Belize Tourism Board 2019’s Tourism Site of the Year Award

Our Lighthouse Reef Basecamp is located on spectacular Half Moon Caye. Each of our Lighthouse Reef guests receives a Belize Audubon Society (BAS) membership and the funds generated from each trip support BAS conservation efforts.

Lighthouse Reef Basecamp located on Half Moon Caye

Congratulations to the Nominees at Bocawina Rainforest Resort

We are also delighted that our amazing staff at the Bocawina Rainforest Resort & Adventures were nominated at the gala event for the following categories:

Nominees:

Belize Front Line Person of the Year

Darwin Calderson - Bocawina Rainforest Resort and Adventures

Denise Moralez - Bocawina Rainforest Resort and Adventures

Belize Tour Guide of the Year

Emelio Avilez - Bocawina Rainforest Resort and Adventures

Belize Tourism Site of the Year

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Bocawina Rainforest Resort is a year-round eco-resort, located in the heart of Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Guests can explore over 7100 acres of lush jungle, refreshing waterfalls and unexcavated Mayan sites. The resort runs on alternative energy and provides a truly off-the-grid experience.

About the Belize Tourism Board

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector - including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize National Tour Operators Association - and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org.