The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), in conjunction with the Women's Department, is pleased to recognize Ms. Maria Vega as our association's outstanding woman of the year for 2009. Maria Vega received her award at the 4th Annual Outstanding Women's Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, March 31 at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, in commemoration of International Women's Day.

Women's Month 2009 was celebrated under the theme "Creating opportunities for development through women's economic empowerment". Ms. Maria Vega was chosen to be recognized along with some 20 other Belizean women who have contributed to the society and community. The award was presented on behalf of BTIA by Nicole Solano, Executive Director.

Since 1985 as a BTIA volunteer, Maria Vega has represented the interests of Belize in countless policy, planning and marketing fora locally, regionally and internationally in at least twenty countries. She is a founding member and signatory to the charter of BTIA. For more than two decades, Maria Vega has been a driving force guiding the growth of the tourism industry. She is not just a person but a movement for community empowerment through sustainable tourism development to benefit born Belizeans.

Maria served as BTIA president from 1992-1993, and had representation on various committees including FEDECATUR and Mundo Maya for numerous years, CZMAI Advisory Council, World Heritage Sub-committee, and COMPACT Local Consultative Body Chairperson since inception to present. She was the only tourism private sector appointee to the Belize UNESCO National Commission from 2006-2008. She currently holds the BTIA seat on the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC), and represents the Caye Caulker Chapter on BTIA's National Board.

Maria Vega is a graduate of SCA and holds an Associate's Degree in Biology from SJC Sixth Form, a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Viterbo University (cum laude) and a Master of Science Degree in Tourism Marketing with distinction from the University of Surrey, Guildford, England. She holds specialized trainer certificates in Best Management Practices, Heritage Management and in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for the prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism.

Besides her interventions for the national good, Maria Vega has been extremely active in tourism with the family property, VEGA INN, and through the Caye Caulker Branch of the BTIA.

BTIA congratulates Maria Vega, and thanks her for her ongoing support and commitment to BTIA and tourism in Belize.