Greetings to all Owners and Others from Sunny Belize!
I thought that I would send out a regular bulletin to update everyone on the progress here at the resort. Although Ben has been in touch with all of you regarding the progress of the building and renovation cycle, I thought I would also add my behind-the-scenes perspective regarding the machinations that I believe will bring great success to the Belize Ocean Club (BOC).
It helps to be in the right place at the right time. Last year, according to government figures, Belize enjoyed its best-ever year of tourism. Everyone we speak to here expects that 2013 will shatter those records as well. It is an exciting time to be a part of the upswing. And it stands to reason that you thought that might happen -- after all, many of you are literally invested in that belief. Numerous local articles provide testimony to your foresight. I will share more of them as I come across them.
Belize Tourism Story
As you likely know, there are two buildings that are finished for roof/exterior paint. It looks tremendous.which have new roofs and exterior paint. It looks tremendous. However, what you may not know is that there are many more tasteful touches that are adding value to the property by making the grounds and the interior of the units even more appealing. Each of the units will have a pastel accent wall in each room except the kitchen. Further we are adding sconces made of the beautiful hardwoods that Belize is renown for. Other indigenous touches will complete the mood of the resort. Some of these new resort assets are the wood walkways and the gorgeous new dining tikis that grace the grounds on the beach side of the pool, bath amenities produced by local artisans,and local spices and flavors featured by the restaurant will complete the mood.
This theme of local flavor has been carried over into the choosing and implementation of the new logo which I am pleased to introduce here:
We are hopeful that the image brings home water, subtlety and class. Similarly, we have named the Caribbean restaurant. the Fish Story Grille which we hope strikes the right note of Belizean carefree lifestyle, but hints at the seafood and the seaside.
The first order of business when trying to get a property re-opened in the 3rd world is to make sure that you pack a great deal of patience. As I have noted first-hand in previous experience at the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands and to a lesser but still real extent, in Miami as well as previous stops, the wheels of progress can spin slowly when you are dealing with multiple government agencies and entities.That is not to say that we are without wins.
- We have teamed with a highly successful dive and tour group here in Placencia to try to get bigger groups that have a dive angle, and that need our meeting space, which we know has no peer in out part of Belize.
- We are now live on the GDS/IDS the system that supplies our data to the travel agents and the travel websites of the world.
- Immediate marketing plans include the launch of the new web, and bringing some travel press to the site to see the plans and what we have together.
- Hiring plans continue. We will host a job fair on Monday, March 18th all day long to try to attract the best of the industry help in the area.
We are working long hours to make certain that the BOC is an excellent destination and to best the competition. If you have any questions about the development, the rental agreements, the plans, please do not hesitate to reach out to me and ask. We welcome your feedback with the same enthusiasm that we welcome our guests, with open hearts and open minds.
Warm Regards,
West Tucker
