Who We Are

Melanie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on April 2nd, 1962 to Yolanda Castillo of Belize City and Phillip Gallaty of Louisiana. At the young age of six weeks, Melanie traveled with her parents to her mother’s homeland, Belize. She now manages “The Palms Ocean Front Suites” in San Pedro. As busy as she is, she still makes time for things that she loves. Melanie has always been an active person in the community: fighting for the betterment of San Pedro and for the growth and well- being of the Tourism Industry. She has been a dynamic member of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). She has held the position of Chairperson of the Environmental Committee making the “one-way street” project a reality. Community service is not something new to her. While growing up, Melanie was actively involved in the Leos Club and Rotaract in Belize City. When Elected as President Paz said, “I have some big shoes to…Read More

Mr. Salas served as president for one and a half term. During his presidency and leadership he successfully hired a new Executive Director, reinvigorated the ten destination chapters including the reviving of the Belmopan and San Pedro Chapters, enhanced the marketing efforts of the association through new festivals, BETEX and also the re-branding and production of the Destination Belize. His focus also included the strengthening of public and private partnership most importantly with the Ministry of Tourism and the Belize Tourism board. He was also able to secure funding for the development and implementation of the association’s three Year Strategic Plan. His influential leadership was always one to be admired as he was  determined to work together to influence the sustainable development of the industry – one that advanced  to the contribution of tourism to ensure that our members, stakeholders and partners benefit from the enhancement of the sector.   During his last year he was officially elected as Senator representing the…Read More

After steering BTIA through a phase of personnel changes, he lead the association on to a path of successful international marketing and advocacy, while championing initiatives that highlight the BTIA’s responsibility toward the community and the environment as an influential, independent, NGO in Belize.

Rosella Zabaneh joined the BTIA in 1990 with Blue Marlin Lodge and later added the Bonefish Hotel. Her active involvement in the BTIA both at the local Stann Creek destination level and the National level has brought her much recognition and respect throughout the tourism industry. She has served as the President of the Stann Creek BTIA for several terms during which time she managed to change the Dangriga waterfront and initiated the Dangriga Town Pier development project.

In 2002,Steven Schulte was sought after, nominated and elected as the eleventh President of the BTIA for a two year term, from 2002, thru to 2004. He is the CEO and co-owner of Tropic Air and has a vast knowledge of corporate business strategy, bringing his own business from the verge of bankruptcy to one of the most successful domestic airline carriers in Belize today. At a time when the BTIA was facing difficult times, Steven Schulte’s Presidency was seen as one that would bring hope to an association strap for cash and financially challenged.

In 1999, Ida Sauceda took over the BTIA Presidency from Susan Fuller and held that position for two years. During those two years, she fought to keep the BTIA going at a time when the association was already starting to face declining membership and financial constraints. Ida’s successful Presidency brought about the formation of a BTIA Business Plan, the signing of a three million dollars IDB/MIF funded project for Eco-tourism training programs, and the development of ten destination brochures in collaboration with the BTB.

During his Presidency, he established the Belize Marine Terminal as another source of income generation for the BTIA. Also momentous in his term was the establishment of permanent house for the BTIA with the purchase of the building on North Park Street.Godsman Ellis later assumed the Presidency of the Federation of Central American Tourism Association (FEDECATUR) and started a project on the standardization of tourism Best Practices in Central America. It was also this President that started the first BTIA International Tourism Expo in Belize.

In 1992, she took over the Presidency from Paul Hunt and established BTIA and Belize as a key force in Regional Policy, Planning and Marketing for the Tourism Industry. Maria Vega negotiated successfully and laid the groundwork for BTIA’s most enduring income earner, the Destination Belize magazine. She also presided over a year of successful implementation of USAID assistance for Tourism Awareness, Training, Membership Services, and Organizational Development.

Janet Finlayson took over the Presidency from Janice Aguilar from 1990 to 1991. While she only served one term, her year of Presidency saw the introduction of the Belize Mundo Maya involvement. In fact, it was under Janet’s Presidency that the BTIA Mundo Maya Committee was formed. That same year, Belize was selected as the Mundo Maya Secretariat and a regional Mundo Maya membership directory was produced. Janet now lives in England where she manages The Garden House Hotel.

The late Mrs. Jean Shaw was one of the founding members and the first President of the BTIA from 1985-1988. Being the first President, Jean Shaw worked tirelessly to bring this association to the public’s attention, both locally and internationally. Today, BTIA is recognized as the official private sector voice of the Belize tourism industry, both by the Government and the private sector. Jean Shaw is the only President who served a term of three years.