Sunsets over the Beautiful Caribbean Sea in Belize are Amazing

Sunsets over the beautiful Caribbean Sea in Belize are Amazing!

Come and visit soon!

What constitutes an Eco-Friendly Resort?

 What is an Eco Resort?

At Platinum International Real Estate and Investments we have been approached many times about what constitutes and Eco-resort and have finally come up with your basic answer.
An eco-resort protects the environment, benefits local communities, and helps guests learn about the local surroundings while they explore them. Eco-resorts are not just for leisure but offer the tourist a complete eco-experience. A true Eco-resort not only offers eco-friendly sightseeing , but the accommodation, transport and cooking methods are also eco-friendly. Using solar heating, bio-toilets, and using transport systems more efficiently are all eco-friendly examples put to use to reduce the effect of people on the environment and in essence reducing our carbon footprints.

What is the standard criteria for the Certification of an Eco-Resort?

• Design and Construction
• Water conservation
• Liquid waste management
• Solid waste management
• Energy production and conservation
• Natural areas and conservation
• Lawn and gardens
• Protection of flora and fauna
• Contamination of air, water and soil
• Environmental education
• Quality standards

 Since only about 1% of the eco-resorts are actually certified, it is sometimes better to check with the resorts directly.

Here is a list of some questions to ask and keep in mind.

What does the resort do to protect and conserve the local flora and fauna?

How does it involve local communities?

What interpretive facilities (cultural or ecological) are available to guests?

Other questions that are at the micro-level for the observant and discerning traveller are:

What are the ways in which the resort contributes to the local community? Are there employment opportunities, education programmes for the people employed and the guests? Does the eco-resort contribute to the area's economy by buying local products?

What does the property do to minimize waste? How do you manage garbage, waste and recyclables?

Are the towels and bed linen changed every day for a guest automatically or is it done only if there is a guest request?

How are the toiletries packaged? And is the packaging recycled?

How is grey water and sewage treated ?

Are any alternative energy resources like solar or wind used?

Is there air-conditioning or air cooling?

Do you have any other water conservation measures? And if so, what are they?

Did you use environmentally friendly building materials and indigenous plants in the construction and landscaping of the resort?

Some of Belize's Eco-Friendly Resorts are : Blackadore Caye, Black Rock, Blancaneaux Lodge, Casa Del Caballo, Chaa Creek, Chan Chich Lodge, Cotton Tree Lodge, El Pescador, Hamanasi, Jaguar Paw, Journey's End, Kaana and Lamanai. This list is certainly not complete being that there are many others that we have not mentioned.

Andrew Zimmern Bizarre World’s - Belize Segment Premiers Tuesday, September 8th at 10PM ET

World Famous Andrew Zimmern, a food writer, TV personality, chef, teacher and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods, was in the country filming the first episode for his new TV Show Bizarre Worlds. The show will feature different aspects of the countries he visits and Zimmern’s piece on Belize will showcase art, Mayan sites, caves, cayes and of course, food.

Andrew arrived in Belize on Monday, April 6, and was filming throughout the week. “This is our first show in the Bizarre World series. So it is a really a momentous occasion for us and we’re just thrilled to be able to kick it off in Belize,” commented Zimmern

According to Zimmern he had wanted to visit Belize for the past 15 years but was unable to do so because of his hectic work schedule and was extremely pleased to finally visit the country and to film his show here.

Andrew Zimmern Belizean adventure includes swimming with sharks and sting rays, exploring the hidden underworld of the caves (Actun Tunichil Muknal) and sinks his teeth into Mayan-style pork brains and the country’s most prized rodent, the Gibnut.

Zimmern considered this experience one of the highlights of his trip so far. “That is what I will never forget. It was like a museum without the four walls. Seeing the site through the eyes of our guides was what made it amazing. That is what is beautiful about this country, the ability to enjoy the Maya heritage and the jungles, but also being able to experience the beauty of the Caribbean Sea with spectacular marine life,” explained Zimmern.

“There are more than just ancient Mayan cultures and beaches here. Now we are exploring both of those because we think there are interesting stories for folks who will never make it here but we also want to talk about the Creole population,” commented Zimmern. “We also want to talk about the indigenous food; we want to take our cameras into the art parks, connect people in the rest of the world, it shows in 70 countries.” The show airs in 70 countries that will see the people of Belize and show what really makes Belize truly the Best Kept Secret of The Caribbean.

Belize will be the first episode of Bizarre World, which premiers on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Be sure to mark your calendars and tune into the Travel Channel at 10:00 p.m. eastern time.

Belize...Mother Natures Best Kept Secret of the Caribbean

I wanted to share a video about Belize with each and everyone. This is to share the beauty of the jewel we all call home, Belize.

Please enjoy and stay tuned for more.

Belize Unveiled $13.5m Sustainable Tourism Plan

Earlier this year The Government of Belize (GOB) committed to a four-year, $13.5 million dollar plan to promote and practice responsible tourism development in the country. The new sustainable tourism initiative outlines infrastructural projects that focus on the long-term preservation of Belize’s stunning natural resources, as well as developments in four of the country’s more popular tourism destinations, including San Ignacio in the Cayo District, Placencia in the Stann Creek District, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye and Belize City.

“Our focus is to help build Belize as an emerging destination in a responsible way, thereby setting the tone for future developments and advances throughout the country,” said Tracy Panton,Director of Tourism for the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). “The initiatives presented in Belize’s new plan will promote sustainability and foster mutually beneficial relationships between residents and investors."

In Belize City, infrastructural developments will include a pedestrian link from the cruise ship portto the city’s downtown area, allowing locals to benefit from cruise tourism; as well as re-surfacing ofthe street, installation of wider sidewalks, lighting and landscaping.

In Placencia, a natural disaster management plan will be put into place, along with the construction ofan extended pier, allowing visiting yachts and boats to dock and access the area.

In San Pedro-Ambergris Caye, an outlet mall will be built on the western side of the town, which will create new jobs and local opportunities for growth.

In San Ignacio, the sustainable tourism projects will focus on improving accessibility to, and preservation of, key archeological sites. In addition, a town cultural center will be developed to help tourists access all the services San Ignacio has to offer.

Complementing the new initiative in May will be the third annual World Conference on Responsible Tourism by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

The BTB recently announced its sponsorship of the event which focuses on the responsibility for sustainable tourism and addresses local economic development through tourism, the impact of second homes or condo hotels, the impact of mass tourism to the marine environment as well as climate change.