Chaa Creek Celebrates Belize's Independence - And Its Own Birthday - With A Surprise Gift To Travellers
Belize comes alive every September with month-long celebrations marking the little Caribbean country's independence from Great Britain, and this year The Lodge at Chaa Creek is celebrating Independence and its own 1981 birthday with a "September Surprise Birthday Gift" for visitors, the popular Belizean eco-resort recently announced.
SAN IGNACIO, Belize, August 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Every September Belize celebrates two anniversaries - the little Caribbean country's independence from Great Britain and the opening of the country's first eco-resort – two events The Lodge at Chaa Creek is marking with a "September Surprise Birthday Gift" for visitors, the popular Belizean eco-resort recently announced.
Marketing administrator Roberto Harrison said the surprise birthday present is a first for Chaa Creek.
"We wanted to commemorate the two anniversaries in a way that both locals and overseas visitors would appreciate, so we thought what better way than to surprise everyone with a month-long birthday present of lodgings, amenities and activities at prices that would have been fitting in 1981.
"So, for the entire month of September 2018, a Belize vacation at The Lodge at Chaa Creek is under a hundred US dollars a night, and that includes a full day of enjoying exciting activities and luxurious amenities," he said.
Mr Harrison explained that the "September Surprise" offers eco-luxe accommodations, access to amenities and guided tours and activities within Chaa Creek's 400-acre private nature reserve for USD$99.00 a night.
"We wanted to say 'thank you' to our many friends in Belize and around the world, and hopefully introduce those who have never been here to Caribbean Central America's newest nation. And what better time to do that than during Belize and Chaa Creek's combined birthdays," he said.
Belize, the former Crown Colony of British Honduras, achieved independence from England on September 21st, 1981. This was also when Mick and Lucy Fleming, two young world-travellers who settled along the banks of the Macal River, decided to open their farm up to guests as Belize's first true eco-resort.
"We were an eco-resort before we even knew the term existed," Lucy recalls.
"Both Mick and I had fallen in love with the land and people of Belize, and especially the Cayo District where we settled, and it just seemed natural to build around trees rather than chop them down. This was also a time of rising global awareness about the need for environmental conservation, and we became more and more committed to sustainability and practices like recycling.
"It turned out many travellers felt the same way and appreciated green operations, and pretty much by word of mouth, both Belize and Chaa Creek took off," she added.
Belize quickly moved from an agrarian and fishing economy to developing a vibrant tourism industry, and enjoyed dramatic growth that continues today. For the last three years, the country has seen a steady, double-digit increase in tourist arrivals, with the first half of 2018 recording an "unprecedented" increase of over 17% compared to 2017, according to the Belize Tourism Board.
Belize's growth is also reflected in the national independence celebrations, which take up most of the month of September and each year grow in scale and attendance.
September celebrations kick off on the first of the month with a military, police and fire brigade tattoo and a huge party sponsored by Belikin, the national brewer. After a saltwater fishing tournament on the 8th, the first national bank holiday is St George's Caye Day on the 10th, commemorating a 1798 battle in which Belize's early settlers repelled a much larger Spanish invasion. Over the 12th and 13th, Belize City hosts the Belize Expo as well as elections for the King and Queen of the September 15 Carnival.
Closer to Chaa Creek, in San Ignacio Town, the inaugural family-friendly West Fest will be held prior to the national flag raising ceremony on the 20th – all leading up to the nationwide Belize Independence Day celebrations on the 21st.
Mr Harrison said Chaa Creek's guests will have the opportunity to join in the various parties and celebrations in towns and villages, while being able to return to the tranquillity of the jungle lodge when they wish.
The USD$99.00 day and night rate includes accommodation in the eco-luxe Cottage Collection, with guided tours of the onsite Belize Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm, and Maya Medicinal Plant Trail, with canoeing along the Macal River, guided morning bird watching walks, access to miles of well-maintained trails crisscrossing the 400-acre private nature reserve, and use of amenities such as an infinity pool.
"We wanted to commemorate Chaa Creek's and Belize's birthdays in our wildly civilised style, and considering everything that's included for under a hundred US dollars a night, I think we succeeded.
"Many Belizeans say September is their favourite month, and after taking advantage of our 'September Surprise Birthday Gift', we're expecting many of our visitors will be saying the same," Mr Harrison said.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a multi-award winning eco resort set within a 400-acre private nature reserve along the banks of the Macal River in Belize. It was recognised by National Geographic with first place honours at the 2017 World Legacy Awards held in Berlin.
SOURCE The Lodge at Chaa Creek
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