The Lodge at Chaa Creek is saying “thank you” to overseas military personnel and volunteers serving in Belize
by offering them special half price discounts on all-inclusive Belize vacation packages, accommodation and activities, the Belizean eco resort’s owners said.
Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick transformed Chaa Creek from their family farm into one of Belize’s most well-known eco resorts, said there has been a growing number of army, navy and air force personnel from the US, Canada and Great Britain involved in training, humanitarian and security projects in Belize. She said that Chaa Creek wants to thank them and other people working in non-government organisations with 50% discounts.
“We realise that many of these people are so busy here in Belize that they don’t have the time to really enjoy the things that make Belize so special, and we want to remedy that with affordable vacations for them and their families and guests,” Ms Fleming said.
“So we’re offering military personnel and family members and friends who accompany them fifty per cent off accommodation and our all-inclusive Belize vacation packages,” she explained. “This makes it easier for people to have a great holiday and even have family and friends come down to join them,” she added.
Ms Fleming pointed out that the US military has assumed a higher profile in Belize this year with projects such as the US Navy’s “Southern Partnerships” deployment and the “New Horizons” initiative, which sees US and Canadian military personnel providing health and dental care in Belizean villages and medical clinics. And while Britain has scaled back its British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), some personnel remain, as well as British High Commission and Embassy staff.
The Chaa Creek initiative offers military personnel and other foreign aid workers, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, 50% off a range of accommodation and the eco resort’s signature all-inclusive Belize Vacation packages, which provide accommodation, all meals, activities, transfers, even taxes and staff gratuities for one set price.
“Due to the infrastructure we built up over the decades, as well as having a network of colleagues all across Belize, we pride ourselves on being able to offer affordable vacation packages no one else can match. Whether it’s inland expeditions, Maya culture, adventure romance including weddings and honeymoons, or Rainforest to Reef specials that allow guests to split their holiday between Chaa Creek and our partner resorts on Belize’s Caribbean coast and cayes, we offer something for every interest,” Ms Fleming said.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek, known as Belize’s “Destination within a Destination” sits within a 365 acre private nature reserve surrounding accommodation ranging from thatch roof cottage room to luxury Jacuzzi and Tree Top suites as well as a fine dining restaurant with temperature controlled wine cellar, lounge, Hilltop Spa, butterfly farm, a Belize natural history museum, and other amenities. Miles of trails suited for horseback and mountain bike riding, hiking and guided nature walks connect some 70 ancient Maya archaeology sites and a canoe landing for excursions along the Macal River.
Ms Fleming said that many Belizeans welcome the various projects currently assisting in healthcare, border security, construction of classrooms and medical facilities and other areas in this developing Caribbean nation, where the recent rise of eco-tourism as the main income generator has raised the standard of living.
“We’ve seen many positive changes in Belize since independence in 1981,” Ms Fleming said, “and the sort of assistance we see in the New Horizons, Southern Partnerships and other programs contributes further towards Belize’s security, health and education.
“While we’re not sure of the exact number of overseas military and aid personnel in Belize, we want them all to know that their efforts are appreciated, and that all of us here at Chaa Creek are grateful for their assistance.
“Helping these people relax and maybe spend some quality time with family and friends is our way of saying thanks,” she added.