Belizean Tour Operators Pitch Experiences to Cruise Line Executives

Belizean tour operators are meeting face to face with cruise line executives this week, hoping to get more of their tours onto the itineraries offered to passengers visiting Belize. The Belize Tourism Board is supporting the delegation at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s thirty-second annual cruise conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The event, which runs from October 12 to 16, brings together more than seven hundred cruise industry delegates, destination representatives and cruise line executives.  For the Belizean businesses attending, it is a chance to show what they offer and speak directly with the people who help decide which tours passengers can book. Tanisha Vernon, owner of TukTuk Belize Tours, says those conversations allow operators to explain what makes their tours different and learn what cruise lines are looking for.

Tanisha Vernon, Owner, Tuk Tut Belize: “And for me, I believe that my company represents that because we’re the first solar and EV company in the entire country, region, Central America and Caribbean, and to have a go green product which matches the cruise line agenda for the future definitely put us in a solid position to negotiate, to build contracts, to expand on collaborations. And so to be here to have that pipeline directly to the source or at least the person right before the final decision maker, you know, it’s an amazing feeling.”

But an introduction is only the start. Operators still have to work out the details, put together suitable packages and meet the cruise lines’ requirements before any deal can be reached. Vernon says following up after the conference will be key to turning those contacts into paying business.

Tanisha Vernon, Owner, Tuk Tut Belize: “The next process would be to follow up. So you’re here doing meetings, you’re doing all these interactions, but you also have a responsibility to make sure that you follow up and you meet the other insurance requirements and the other in terms of your package, your price point and all of that so that you can negotiate and see how this could be a long-term goal for your company. And also if you may need to add additional fleets and stuff like that. So it gives you a head start and an idea to prepare for what is next. There’s so many other countries here, not only Belize. So the follow-up is the key because you don’t want to be forgotten in an email. But I feel that confidently, you know, my company will be prioritized and I’m hoping for that. I’m very optimistic about it. And so it’s just for us on our end now. BTB has given us the tool and the introduction. Now our part is for us to see that through to the end.”

The hope is that those discussions will lead to more bookings for Belizean operators and more cruise visitors spending with local businesses. The BTB says it will continue supporting operators as they pursue those opportunities. With the conference ending today, the follow-up work now begins.