Anita Beteta - Hospitality & Tourism Expert
HOLA ! MUCHO GUSTO
I was born in La Antigua Guatemala, Cultural Patrimony of Humanity and cradle of tourism in Guatemala. I have had the privilege of living in a city with such cultural value where I have learned to appreciate the conservation and protection of the monuments and natural resources that commemorate our history.
I ventured into the world of tourism from a very young age. I learned the values of generosity, effort, honesty, altruism and kindness seeing the daily example of my parents, María Mercedes and Don Leonel, who for more than 45 years have served one of the most recognized restaurants in the Old City.
This preparation awakened in me the desire to study Tourism Marketing in the city of Florence, Italy. At the end of this stage I worked in one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world. The Peninsula Hotels in Chicago, United States. Where with effort and dedication I achieved the position of Food & Beverage Manager, specializing in the standardization of luxury levels in hotels. From this experience I learned that the desire to serve is a genuine value of hospitality that well characterizes us Guatemalans. I returned to my country and since then I have been assistant manager of the hotel and restaurant corporation of the family business. I recently completed another university degree, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing, in order to strengthen my skills and develop the promotion and growth of tourism in my country with high quality.
Since my beginnings in tourism, I have participated in important associations. I am committed to supporting strategies for the promotion and development of tourist destinations. I am currently in different associations exercising the commitment of President of the Wedding and Honeymoon Guild; Vice President of the Chamber of Tourism of Guatemala; Vice President of the Calle del Arco Committee and Secretary of the Destino Antigua Association. Additionally, support to the Municipality of Antigua with the planning of activities for the tourist promotion of the City together with the Secretary of Economy and Tourism of Antigua Guatemala (SETUR).
I collaborate with several public-private institutions in projects for the development of tourist segments in destinations such as Antigua, Costa Sur, Izabal, Petén, Atitlán and Capital City. Through the initiatives, I have developed strategic opportunities such as:
● Famtrips / International Press Trips
● Business conference
● Gastronomic Festivals
● Business Meetings / Networking
Among the projects in which I have collaborated, the Wed in Guatemala initiative stands out, which seeks to position Guatemala as a destination for Weddings and Honeymoons. Today, this segment has been identified as an effective catalyst for development and has had significant growth with a positive economic impact for the entire tourism value chain in Guatemala.
I am a woman who is passionate about my culture and I have found inspiration in my country, Guatemala, which besides being a colorful land, full of fauna and folklore, is characterized by the warmth and hospitality of its people. I feel very proud to be Guatemalan and to promote its beauty, sharing with the world its riches such as art, culture, gastronomy, history and human warmth at every opportunity.
"They explain a lot about who I am and what I am passionate about. and partly describe my parents, me and my daughter. My roots are like a current of life where I see my history pass, something similar to that of those who preceded me and that of other people around me”.