Planeterra Director To Address Belize Consular Meeting May 25 in Brussels

31 May 2011
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Providence, RI - Megan Epler Wood, Director of Planeterra, the global non-profit sustainable development organization, will address a gathering of Belize’s Consular Representatives at 11 a.m. on May 25 at Cercle de Lorraine in Brussels. Epler Wood will present to representatives from, among others, the Embassy of Belize to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Mission of Belize to the European Commission, and the Belize High Commission in London.

In her talk, Belize: Tourism Potential; Creating a High Value Investment Environment, Epler Wood will speak about how sustainable destination management and strategic investments in the country's natural and cultural heritage will help positively enhance the country's tourism investment potential, the value of Belize's destinations for higher value professional tourism investors, creating a top anchor attraction in Belize City, and the revamped digital marketing focus now underway.

A panel discussing Government of Belize Strategic Vision: Social Development, Health, Education, Security will follow Epler Wood’s presentation, with expert panelists, including: H.E. Ambassador Audrey Joy Grant; Mr. David Grant, First Secretary; Mr. K. Meder, President, MC Biopharma, Harvard University; and  Ms. Sofia Bobak, Counsellor. Later that afternoon, H.E. Mrs. Kamela Palma, High Commissioner; a Beltraide representative; and Ambassador A. Joy Grant will discuss Investment opportunities in Belize.

Planeterra is currently working with Cornell’s Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, Gap Adventures, and the Belize Tourism Board to assess the underlying costs and benefits of sustainable tourism for the country. The partners will share initial results from their on-going study later this year.
Tourism represents 22% of the GDP of Belize's economy. Forecasts estimate tourism will be a growing driver of Belize's exports, doubling its importance in the next 10 years.

Created in 2003 by Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip, Planeterra helps empower local people to develop their communities, conserve cultures, and create a humane and supportive system for their endeavors. The organization supports a steady cycle of giving and investment, via a global network of travel industry partners, in the social and environmental needs of people and places in the destinations Gap Adventures serves worldwide.

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