Laura Howard: I started this company after I'd worked for five years as the resident archaeologist for a first-class jungle lodge and research center in northern Belize, the Lamanai Field Research Center. This afforded me the opportunity to work with some of the top scientists in the field of archaeology as well as biology. Working closely with these scientists in a setting that afforded visitors an opportunity to learn about the scientific research made me realize how much I truly enjoyed working with eco-tourists. Working closely with people who travel to an area they are interested in learning about, who are excited about the destination they have reached, and who truly care about the impact they have on the area is truly rewarding and exciting to me.
Staffing Locally
How big is your staff? How many are locals?At this time I work full time on the business, often traveling with clients, and I have one part time employee here in south Florida. The majority of the properties and tour operators I utilize in Belize are Belizeans, all the guides, boat operators, and drivers are also Belizeans.
Are you permanently based in Belize? If not, where are you; if so, where are your offices? What are your facilities like?
I spend between 2 to 4 months a year in Belize. My office is located in south Florida, in Deerfield Beach. I operate as an outbound tour operator, although since I know Belize so well I feel my product can also qualify as inbound and outbound. We don't have any facilities per se, we utilize existing Belize-based properties and destinations. I tend to favor properties that I have personal long-term relationships with to ensure the highest quality and guest satisfaction.
Bringing Archaeology into the Equation
What kinds of vacations do you offer?We offer all-inclusive reasonably-priced packages, these can be for individuals, families, or groups. We also do educational student groups that focus on Ancient Maya Archaeology, Rainforest Ecology, and Marine Biology. I encourage everyone to see both the inland and coastal areas of Belize, since they will then experience ancient Maya ruins, the rainforest, cave systems, and tubing inland, and on the coast the western hemispheres only barrier reef (Belize's only UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Belize unlike some other Central American destinations does not have a first-class or premiere bus service and visitors to Belize generally take private transfers or rent their own vehicles. It is often time-consuming to make these arrangements on your own plus I truly believe many people miss some of the best that Belize has to offer by not consulting a local expert. I feel if you are already going to this much effort to travel internationally that you should get the most for your money and see and experience the best Belize has to offer.
Since I lived and worked at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai for over five years (northern Belize, Orange Walk District) all packages and programs include at least three days there. Although visitors do not excavate they are able to access the archaeological lab and are presented with the latest excavation information and finds to date. The area is accessed by the New River and New River Lagoon, the boat ride/safari in is one of the highlights of the Belize experience we offer. Visitors are afforded a behind-the-scenes look into the in-depth work of the Lamanai Archaeological Project conducted by Royal Ontario Museum (R.O.M.), University College of London, and University of North Carolina Wilmington as well as the results from the past biological research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), San Francisco State University, and York University on Morelets' Crocodiles, black howler monkeys, and the diverse bat population.
