Belize City, Belize – Friday, June 22nd, 2012 – In an effort to bring local hospitality sectors up to international standards by improving the quality of services offered in Belize, the Quality Assurance Department of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) held its first ever, “Train the Trainers” workshops on June 18th, 2012 to June 21st, 2012 at the ITVET campus in Belize City. The four day workshop included training in Front Office Operations, House Keeping, and Food & Beverage Service Standards.
Laura Esquivel Frampton, Acting Director of Tourism said, ‘These courses are to enhance the work done at the different levels where hospitality is taught, enhancing the skills of our service workers which produces greater guest satisfaction and eventually attracts more visitors to Belize.” The lecturer for the courses was Mr. Carlos Cuellar, the Tourism and Hospitality Instructor at the Stann Creek Ecumenical College. Mr. Cuellar is an alumnus of one of the most prestigious training programs conducted by one of the Hospitality Industry’s best trainers, Mr. Ian Maksik. Mr. Maksik is a renowned professional trainer, lecturer and motivational speaker for the hospitality industry. Mr. Maksik travels, teaching the ‘Art and Science of Service’ to owners of food facilities, their staff, and college students, who are interested in improving and or learning the art of the hospitality business.
Mr. Maksik also facilitated last year’s BTB Hospitality Rallies in San Pedro, Placencia, Dangriga, San Ignacio and Belize City. “These exceptional training promises to teach the precise principles of service by the use of the basic, simple, hands-on, easy-to-learn techniques”, said Mr. Carlos Cuellar.
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to assist with these types of training for the industry through the continued efforts of the Quality Assurance Department as we look forward to a successful and thriving tourism industry.
About the Belize Tourism Board
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism. 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. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination to both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country’s unique attractions to travellers, members of the travel trade industry and media outlets in key markets.
The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instil high quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org.
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