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.

Janice Aguilar was elected the second President of the BTIA in 1988. During her two year Presidency, 1988 to 1990, Janet quickly picked up from the foundation laid before her be the late Jean Shaw. In 1989, BTIA was incorporated into the laws of Belize and had a signed Articles of Association and Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, it was during Janice’s Presidency that the BTIA became actively involved in country wide lectures, participated in international conferences.

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.

In 1991, the BTIA held its Annual General Meeting at the newly opened Ramada Hotel and at that meeting, and at what was considered a surprise nomination, Paul Hunt was elected as President. He served this term for one year and later got re-elected for a second term during the 1996-1997 term. Taking over from his predecessor Janet Finlayson, Paul worked alongside then Tourism Minister Glen Godfrey to host the first World Conference on Eco-Tourism in Belize hosted at the newly built Biltmore Hotel.

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 incomer 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.

Steve Maestre was elected the sixth President of the BTIA in 1993. he is the only person to hold both the Presidency of the BTIA and Deputy Chairman of the BTB at the same time. He was one of the founding members of the BTIA and was also the first Vice President to the late Jean Shaw in 1985. Steve’s hard work and integrated approach brought the BTIA and the BTB to a close working relationship with the then BTB Chairman, Santino Castillo.

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.

Susan Fuller is no stranger to the Tourism Industry. In fact, she served as President for the BTIA from 1997 thru to 1999, a solid two year term. During Susan’s Presidency, she was active with the signing of the “Lamanai Room Declaration” that was issued by the BTIA and the Belize Audubon Society. Susan also lobbied for the BTIA to be members on the board of a number of national organizations. The first BETEX show was also held under her Presidency. Susan now works at OMNI Networks in Belize City.

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.

Every great leader is considered great for at least one of his greatest accomplishment. In 2001, when just about everyone but a few faithful had given up on the BTIA, Michael Panton was elected as President for a one year term, inheriting a BTIA that was at the brink of bankruptcy. During his Presidency, he started the process of canceling the high debts the association found itself in and started the process of steering the BTIA back to becoming the most powerful private sector tourism organization today.

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.

Lucy Fleming’s Presidency started with the most challenging mandate ever received from a membership at any of the association’s previous general meetings. This mandate was to challenge the decision of the government of Belize on an agreement for the development of a Cruise Port.

She 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.