Result: CPR/First Aid – As a result of this training, 50 members of the Toledo Tour Guide Association were able to renew their license on time and refresh their skills for effective tour guiding.

Result: White Water Training – This training was seen as essential for tour guides to be able and ready to respond to emergencies and to be able to identify safety equipment and proper use of them. It should be noted that 34 tour guides were successfully trained instead of the original 30 that was the targeted number.

Result: Tour Guide Refresher Course – This course was conducted in order to strengthen the skills of the tour guides and better place them in the tourism industry. It has helped the tour guides to enhance their performance and skills to better conduct tours and consider visitors’ needs. All participants were licensed tour guides. This refresher course was essential as it is indicated in the duties of a license holder.

Result: Workshop on responsible tourism marketing and communication was conducted. As a result of this workshop, the association and its board members were more able to equip the TTGA with some of the necessary information to better market themselves to tour operators and stakeholder partners.

Result: Workshop on the importance of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site was done on two separate days. The workshop was facilitated by a representative of the Fisheries Department. Both workshops stressed the importance of the Belize Barrier Reef both locally and globally. Marine tourism was discussed and ways to prevent pollution and ensure protection of the BBRRS-WHS.

Result: An entire page of the Toledo Howler was purchased to promote the tour guides. The page included the name of all the tour guides in an article on the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve and described activities being completed under this project funded by GEF SGP/COMPACT and Oak Foundation. Newsletters have been done to update the membership on the activities completed and provides information about the Belize Barrier Reef.

Additional Accomplishments:
1. Navigation Course – This course was designed for an introduction on the basics of coastal navigation. Each topic was covered by an instructor in a classroom setting. Emphasis was placed on the importance of local people’s knowledge and safety when guiding. Overall the course was a success and the guides were eager to know more and felt they had learned a lot.

2. The TTGA board agreed to the purchase of equipment to prepare for the upcoming tourism season. A total of 20 personal flotation devices, 10 water booties, 20 sets snorkeling gear, 20 snorkel vests, 50 first aid kits for the first aid training and a laptop, printer, LCD Projector for tour guide activities.