L-R, Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance & Vice Chairman of the WSTHA Advisory Board) and Evan Tillett (Director of the Belize Tourism Board) at the ITB on 5th March 2024
Belize Tourism Board has made history by becoming the first country to join the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) movement, marking a monumental step towards sustainable tourism and climate goals worldwide.
Belize is the first Destination Partner of the Alliance, having shown a strong commitment to sustainable tourism. This includes developing sustainable initiatives such as creating community-based tourism clusters that preserve Indigenous Communities. Belize is also internationally recognised for the preservation of its UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest reef globally, home to hundreds of species of coral and fish.
The hospitality sector is a major contributor to many economies worldwide, but it also carries a significant environmental and social footprint on local communities. The Alliance’s Destination Partner initiative is designed to engage local, regional, and national tourism organisations, as well as city and regional councils, under a common sustainability agenda to help support the industry in accelerating towards Net Positive Hospitality.
This partnership signifies a collaboration between Belize and the Alliance which will see Belize actively participating in the inaugural 2024 World Travel Sustainability Awards in September, aimed at promoting Net Positive Hospitality in Travel and Tourism. Belize will also participate in various leading Environmental and Social Accelerator programs of the Alliance designed to advance engagement and innovation across the hospitality sector throughout the country and share the key learning with the rest of the world.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, expressed excitement about welcoming Belize as a Destination Partner, praising Belize for its leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism. Mandziuk noted that by recognising Belize as a Destination Partner within the Alliance to advance innovative sustainability solutions further highlights this country’s efforts in setting a standard for sustainable tourism development worldwide.
Minister of Tourism, Belize, Anthony Mahler, emphasised the country’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “Belize is extremely proud to be the first country to join the alliance taking further steps toward our commitment to responsible travel. We look forward to collaborating with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to drive positive change in the industry.”
