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Your Springtime Guide to Stann Creek, Belize

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Easter Extravaganzas and Festivities during Your Spring Break in Belize!

A Belize vacation is the perfect spring break getaway to experience Easter extravaganzas and festivities that sweep across the country!…

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As the largest district in Belize, the Cayo District is brimming with captivating adventures, attractions, and eateries. A destination adored…

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WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN BELIZE

The Belize Barrier Reef sits just miles off the coast of Belize and is part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Home to hundreds of species of coral and fish, it is a hot spot for divers, snorkelers and biologists from all over the world.

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Saturday April 13, 2024

• Home  / 
• Government & Politics
•  / Belize Tourism Board Collaborates with Belmopan City Council to Enhance Tourism and Security

Belize Tourism Board Collaborates with Belmopan City Council to Enhance Tourism and Security

• Government & Politics Travel & Tourism
• April 12, 2024

The Belize Tourism Board is working with the Belmopan City Council to improve the capital city’s tourism product and enhance its citizen security. Today, the BTB met with members of the city council and the business community to discuss ways to beautify the city. The BTB hopes that with collaboration it can fund the establishment of a tourism zone, which will serve as a cultural hub. Belmopan Mayor Pablo Cawich spoke to Love News about the venture. 

Herman Blease, the BTB’s Security Liaison, explained that one of the overarching goals of the meeting was identifying gaps in the city’s safety features and developing ways to strengthen citizen security in Belmopan.  

Blease added that the groups will be meeting again soon.

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Why the Belize Tourism Board's Response to COVID-19 Is One to Emulate

Belize has some of the most restrictive visitor safety measures in the Caribbean

Tourism is vital to Belize’s economy. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, it makes up approximately 41 percent of Belize’s GDP and provides just over 37 percent of direct and indirect tourism-related jobs. In 2019, the country reported 503,177 overnight visitors, up 100 percent since 2010.

But Belize was among the last group of Caribbean destinations to reopen when it began welcoming visitors back to its shores on Oct. 1, 2020. Although its international airport was initially scheduled to reopen on Aug. 15, 2020—after successfully squashing the pandemic for over 50 days—that plan quickly changed when cases reappeared. The number of active COVID-19 cases in the country now stands just over 1,000, with the Orange Walk District leading (primarily due to porous borders with Mexico), followed by the Belize District, which includes the popular island escape, Ambergris Caye.

In an attempt to protect its small population of 400,000 while bringing back tourism to safeguard its economy, Belize has put in place some of the most restrictive visitor safety measures in the Caribbean. With a “tourism safe corridor;” “Tourism Gold Standard” certification program for hotels, tour operators, and attractions; and comprehensive Health & Safety guidelines for visitors to follow, the government continues to balance public health during its “Phase 3” reopening. Considering that Belize’s GDP was valued at $4,815 per capita in 2019 —over $60,000 less than that of the U.S.—it stands to reason that the Caribbean country provides a strong set of standards for the U.S. and other countries to emulate. 

Tight Pre-Entry Protocols

At least three days before their flight, travelers wishing to enter the country need to download the Belize Health App —used for daily health monitoring and contact tracing in case of infection—and fill out the information before their departure date. The app issues a unique QR code that they can present to the airline when checking in for their flight.

At Belize’s International Airport, arriving passengers then go through seven checkpoints before being escorted directly to their pre-booked “Gold Standard” certified hotel. While optional, they can present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding to be “fast-tracked” through the airport on arrival, although they might still be selected for secondary testing. Those who don’t have a PCR test can receive a $50 rapid test at the airport, after which they will have to wait for results at their hotel.

Should a visitor turn out to be positive at the airport, they will be taken to a designated hotel in Belize City or a government facility for a mandatory, minimum 14-day quarantine at their expense. 

A Tourism Safe Corridor: “Gold Standard” Certified Hotels and Tour Operators

On Oct. 1, Belize introduced its “tourism safe corridor,” a network made up of “ Tourism Gold Standard ”-certified hotels, restaurants, tours, and attractions that had been approved to welcome tourists while keeping them on a monitored travel track during their vacation. Travelers were not allowed to leave their hotel grounds unless they were on a certified tour, and they were required to wear a “safe corridor” wristband.

However, as of Oct. 19, the “ tourism safe corridor” restriction is optional ; visitors are otherwise free to move around in Belize, although they still must use Tourism Gold Standard-certified providers for tours and hotels. Whereas previously visitors could only be taken to and from their hotel by an authorized driver, car rentals are now permitted; those who choose to rent will be asked to submit a clear itinerary, and their car will have an installed GPS tracking device.

To receive Tourism Gold Standard certification, businesses had to go through a nine-step program to confirm that they were equipped and abiding by established safety protocols and guidelines developed by the Belize Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The requirements of the nine-point checklist include appointing a Gold Standard Program Manager, implementing guest monitoring with temperature checks, ensuring local distancing protocols are observed for staff and visitors, enhanced sanitization and cleaning procedures, installing sanitization stations, and having a response plan in place in case of a suspected COVID-19 case.

“We had to identify anything [in the hotel] that could be touched by more than one guest and make modifications,” said Barbara Hall, Vice President of the Belize Hotel Association and co-owner of the Tourism Gold Standard-certified beachfront Belizean Nirvana boutique hotel in Placencia Village. “When you arrive, we sanitize your luggage, and you will be escorted immediately to your suite. We used to have an information guide in the room - now when I confirm your reservations, I send you an e-guide, which explains all the hotel’s procedures, including wearing a mask at all times, as well as your restaurant and tour options.”

So far, just over 100 hotels have been approved to reopen to visitors, which the Belize Tourism Board has placed on a continuously updated list. Other standard national health protocols in the country include mandatory mask-wearing in public and observance of social distancing in public spaces. Hotels will also be in charge of organizing and managing their guests’ activities daily, either on-site or with a “ Tourism Gold Standard” certified tour operator .

“It’s good for the Toledo District to have independent tour operators, not only tour operators who are attached to a hotel,” said Bruno Kuppinger, a veteran independent tour guide and owner of Toledo Cave Adventures . “More are coming: It’s a lot of paperwork and some financial investment to buy all that’s needed to make sure you can protect yourself and the visitors.”

The process for licensed tour guides is similar to hotels; they must also observe a one to 15 ratio of tour guides to visitors. “It’s a new norm. Under this current Phase 3, we could go to an archaeological site, for example, but we have to make an appointment with the park ranger to make sure there aren’t other people there,” said Kuppinger, who recently received his Tourism Gold Standard certificate. “We don’t have to wear masks once we’re hiking outdoors. But if not from the same hotel, we wear masks if we can’t guarantee six feet of distance. Inside the vehicle, everyone must wear their masks. We provide all the sanitizers and wipes and masks.”

While archaeological sites are open and caves and offshore marine excursions, cultural experiences in Mayan communities remain closed for now. 

Enjoying Belize’s Outdoors Amid COVID-19

Known for its dedication to environmental preservation, Belize has won praise for many initiatives in recent years. In 2018, the Belize Barrier Reef was removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger, and a countrywide grassroots campaign halted oil companies from drilling offshore. In January 2020, just before the global pandemic, a single plastic and styrofoam use ban was turned into legislation .

As in other parts of the world, however, the absence of tourism has negatively affected Belize’s conservation efforts and wildlife. “We’re having an increase in hunting and logging,” said Amanda Burgos-Acosta, executive director of Belize Audubon Society. “In St. Herman’s, we had signs of hunting. Behind St. Herman’s, that forest connects to the whole Maya Mountain Massif. The pressures are there, [because] people don’t have jobs.”

Meanwhile, the Belize Audubon Society is preparing to reopen Cockscomb Wildlife Basin Sanctuary or Jaguar Preserve to Tourism Gold Standard tour guides and their customers, which they expect to happen any day now. “At least 50 percent of our income is from tourism,” Burgos-Acosta said. “We’ve put in COVID-19 measures and put in place standard operating procedures for all of our staff. We have three different meet-and-greet palapas, and your group cannot be larger than 10.” 

Supporting Belize as a Visitor

From medicinal rainforests and caves ideal for hiking to snorkeling and diving off its 180-mile long Reef, Belize will likely top destination lists as travelers safely seek out the outdoors, away from large crowds. But whether you’ll be able to enjoy these spaces in absolute freedom, however, will depend on the pandemic’s progress.

Main Photo: Courtesy of Belize Tourism Board; Illustration: TripSavvy / Julie Bang

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Rapid Assessment of the Impact of Hurricane Julia on the Tourism Sector

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Welcome to the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

The Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations is a government entity that provides leadership, strategic direction, good governance and oversight on all matters relating to the development of tourism for and on behalf of the Government of Belize.

Strong & Resilient

Hon. Anthony Mahler

Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

Meet our Minister

The Hon. Anthony Mahler has served in a management capacity in the public and private sectors and has led teams which have spearheaded campaigns and policies. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix where he majored in Global Management, and a Master’s Program Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis from the Devry, Keller School of Management. He also attained a Certificate in Strategic Management from Tuck Institute at Dartmouth.

Meet our CEO

Mrs. Nicole Solano has worked in the tourism public and private sectors, with over twenty years of experience in the travel industry. She has held the roles of Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Belize Tourism Board, as well as Executive Director at the Belize Tourism Industry Association. Her first job in tourism was at Kitty’s Place Beach Resort (now Los Porticos Villas) in Placencia before taking on positions in the areas of Human Resources, Sales, and Marketing at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina. In recent years, she has worked with tourism and corporate clients in her capacity as Managing Partner at Idea Lab Studios. She comes with a strong familiarity with the Belize tourism product, and is well versed in regional and international tourism policy and strategy through extensive experience in working with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Central American Tourism Integration System and Mundo Maya. CEO Solano also has held a seat on the Board of Administration of the Belize Volleyball Association in a voluntary capacity since 2017, and has participated at regional meetings of AFECAVOL and NORCECA.

Mrs. Nicole Solano

Chief Executive Officer

Promoting Responsible Tourism Development

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The National Tourism Awards of Belize Returns In 2022

Belize Tourism Board’s signature National Tourism Awards event is back in 2022! With the rise of Belize as a top travel destination, the success of our tourism growth is equal to the quality of services provided on a daily basis. As the governing body of the tourism industry, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is set to recognize the excellence of its tourism partners through 10 categories in October 2022. Held since 2002, the National Tourism Awards is an annual recognition event for exceptional places, products, services, and yes — people!  After not being able to celebrate in the last two years because of the COVID pandemic, it’s time to recognize and award the hard work, dedication, and major positive investments in tourism. The call for nominations is open until July 12 for the following 10 categories, which include a few new ones. 

Nominate here .

Hotel of the Year Award

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef took home 2019’s award in this category. 

A licensed hotel with ten or more rooms, where service exceeds excellence with demonstrated positive attitude and attentiveness of the staff. Offering exceptional value for money, equipped with outstanding facilities and amenities, innovation, and the ability to provide visitors with a truly authentic and all-encompassing Belize experience.

Small Accommodation of the Year Award

Blue Marlin Beach Resort took home 2019’s award in this category. 

A licensed small accommodation with less than ten rooms that captures the essence of warmth and homeliness, displays customer service excellence, outstanding facilities, and a personalized touch in delivering the Belize brand to its visitors.

Tour Operator of the Year Award

‘Glamping’ at Half Moon Caye with Island Expeditions.

Island Expeditions took home 2019’s award in this category. 

A licensed tour operator that offers a variety of tours that excel in service, marketing, creativity, uniqueness, safety, reliability, and value for money.  The tour operator shall demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable and innovative business practices.

Tour Guide of the Year Award

Martin Ack of TIDE Tours took home 2019’s award in this category. 

A licensed tour guide demonstrating a wealth of knowledge and ability to capture the attention of an audience. Additionally, the tour guide shall provide excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, creativity, and service excellence.

Frontline Person of the Year Award

Nikita Young of Chabil Mar Villas took home 2018’s award in this category. 

A frontline employee who demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to welcome guests with great Belizean hospitality, is knowledgeable about Belize, and provides a memorable experience. Note** Includes but is not limited to front desk personnel, concierge, waitress/waiter, bartender, bellhop, etc.

Restaurant of the Year Award

The Grove House at Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge took home 2019’s award in this category. 

A restaurant that offers an exemplary dining experience and demonstrates service excellence. The menu offers a wide array of cultural cuisines and caters to a diverse palate.

Site of the Year Award

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument. Photo courtesy Belize Audubon Society

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument took home 2019’s award in this category . 

A tourism site that’s frequently visited, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, and natural or built beauty. This category includes but is not limited to Archaeological Sites, National Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries, etc.

Green Champion of the Year Award

A new category, this award recognizes a tourism business that works responsibly, ethically, and sustainably by i.) Engaging in community service ii.)  Reducing their carbon footprint through green initiatives, iii.)  Adhering to environmental laws and best practices.

Cultural Experience of the Year Award

Also a new category, this award is in recognition of a truly authentic cultural experience that highlights Belize’s multifaceted heritage that:  i.) creates substantial economic impact, ii.) attract visitors (local and international), iii.) generate national or international media profiles; iv.) Promotes or contributes to the survival of cultural knowledge or practice.

Health and Wellness Provider of the Year Award

For the first time, a tourism business entity will be recognized in Belize’s National Tourism Awards in 2022 for offering a well-rounded wellness program that addresses mental, physical, or spiritual health and wellness.

Header image via Belize Tourism Board .

Carolee Chanona

Editor, copywriter, and staycation advocate by trade, Carolee Chanona brings an incurable case of Belizean wanderlust to the Caribbean Lifestyle team. With a formal background in Environmental Policy and an informal one in culinary kitchens, every Belizean experience told through the eyes of this local includes memorable experiences in the places she loves most. Lover of both adventure holidays and quiet beachside escapes, Carolee especially enjoys destinations explored off the beaten path in Belize—traversed on an oxygen tank or in her handy-dandy hiking boots.

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Belize Tourism Achieves Significant Milestones in 2023, demonstrating robust recovery

Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed substantial growth in 2023 , showcasing a resilient recovery after facing unprecedented challenges. The recently released preliminary tourism arrival figures reveal a noteworthy surge in both overnight stays and cruise ship visits, underscoring the destination’s appeal and the industry’s steadfast rebound.

Overnight stays in 2023 experienced a remarkable 25% increase compared to the previous year, totaling 464,717. While this achievement is commendable, there was a 7.6% gap compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. A shining moment in Belize’s tourism narrative is December 2023, when the country recorded the second-highest overnight tourist arrival for any given month in its history, welcoming a remarkable 55,574 visitors. This notable accomplishment underscores the destination’s allure and signals a positive trajectory for the tourism industry.

As Belize continues to navigate the complexities of the global tourism landscape, these encouraging figures attest to the collective efforts and resilience of the industry stakeholders, local communities, and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). The country remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism growth, ensuring the well-being of visitors, and preserving the unique cultural and natural treasures that make Belize a sought-after destination.

The positive momentum observed in 2023 serves as a testament to Belize’s enduring appeal and its ability to adapt to evolving travel dynamics. As the nation looks ahead, the tourism sector remains poised for further growth, offering an optimistic outlook for the industry’s continued recovery.

Please see more details on the following graphic tables.

About Belize Tourism Board The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector – including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize National Tour Operators Association – and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination to both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country’s unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instill high quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org .

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The best tourist board logos

T ourist boards play a vital role in inspiring travellers to visit their destination, whether they’re telling you about the hottest new festivals and bars, or working with celebrities, writers and influencers to spread the word. In order to stand out and represent their country, city or region, they need an eye-catching logo: something that fits the destination and feels modern. It then gets plastered over all kinds of promotional materials, from pens and memory sticks to t-shirts and posters. 

Sometimes, they firmly fit the trends of their launch period, perhaps having a distinct ‘ iconic 80s logos ’ feel, but other times they remain relevant for decades to come – see New York or Rotterdam for proof.

We’ve picked the best tourist board logos to give you wanderlust; we looked for the best logos that feel custom-made for the destination, do something a bit different, and would look just as good on a keyring as on a billboard, whether they’re made by the best logo designer or not.

01. PROMPERU (Peru)

This South American country is best known for its archaeology: Machu Picchu, the mysterious Nazca lines, the circular Incan terraces of Moray, and the Temple of the Sun in Cusco. That’s why we’re not surprised to see a hand-drawn wordmark that echoes the creativity of Peru, and has been in place since 2011, courtesy of Futurebrand , for use in tourism and trade. The circular pattern on the letter ‘P’ could also make you think of a fossil, or the curve of a clay pot.

So, what else could they have chosen to incorporate? Peru’s food scene is also increasingly popular, with visitors flocking to taste ceviche (fish cooked in lime juice) and Pisco sours (cocktails with egg white), but let’s face it: those wouldn’t really work in a logo, especially if you’re trying to appeal to vegans. We’re glad they stuck to the archaeological theme and kept it simple.

02. Brand Colombia

Remarketing a country that has had political struggles isn’t easy, but Brand Colombia may have cracked it from a design perspective – this major tourism and business campaign launched in 2012, with a logo that mirrors the country’s eclectic mix. Colombian companies Sancho BBDO and Señor López were behind the identity, whilst advertising partners included JWT . 

At the time of the launch, Claudia Hoyos, from Marca País Colombia , said: "Our greatest strength is in our megadiversity… we have many regions, cultures, accents and dialects, many landscapes and different climates."

Therefore, there are different coloured versions of the logo; as Hoyos puts it, "violet represents the variety of flowers we have, especially the orchid, our national symbol," with each region and theme represented by simple geometrical shapes, like a drum for music. Reducing Colombia to 'CO' isn’t just a case of saving space: it shows the ISO country code, recognised all over the world. However, travel industry website Skift didn’t approve, saying the new identity was "all over the place".

03. Turespaña (Spain)

This logo for Turespaña is very much a product of its time, so it doesn’t look as effective today, but we couldn’t resist adding it to the mix – Spain even commissioned artist Joan Miró to design it in 1983. Art tourism is a huge part of Spain’s appeal, with visitors drawn to works by Picasso, Velazquez, Dali and many others, but it was a coup to get Miró on board.

Sadly, Miró was too ill to create a brand new work, so he incorporated elements of other designs to get this result, known as The Sun of Miró, which was revealed to the public in 1984 and has been used ever since. The colourway harks back to the red and yellow of the Spanish flag, while the sun emblem certainly fits the Mediterranean climate. Both the sun and the star were taken from a much earlier poster which – whisper it – was for an art museum in France. If you're in need of an art fix, don't miss our round-up of the best art books .

04. Belize Tourist Board

How does a small central American country make its mark? With a rainbow of colour and nature-inspired details, thanks to Studio MPLS . Here, Belize uses some curved serifs at the top of its letterforms, mirrored by the diagonal first stroke of the 'e'. The overall rounded lettering mimics the number of circles the designers found in their research across the country’s wildlife, landscapes and culture. A toucan perches on the letter 'z', adding character without making the word illegible. As with Colombia, the icon is interchangeable for different regions, which have their own colour palettes; others include a lighthouse (for the Central Coast) and a tropical fish (for the reef).

The typeface has a slightly worn feel, thanks to little inner streaks letting the background show through. The logo can also be presented with the toucan seen separately, and its body and beak has some of those well-worn streaks. This rustic feel fits Belize’s nature-driven tourism, which often includes visits to the jungle and rainforests, and also the "hand-painted weathered signs" that Mike Fetrow, one of the designers, noted.

05. Tourism Fiji

The current version of Fiji’s logo is a vast improvement on its 2013 attempt (which was overly simplistic, forgettable, and burdened with the bland tagline ‘Where happiness finds you’). This much more inventive wordmark, from Australian agency Host/Havas , includes repeated traditional patterns seen on Masi fabric, a Fijian craft. Each motif symbolises a village, family or community.

The Prussian blue also makes this stand out from many other logos – though tourist boards love a bit of blue, this rich shade has real depth. The designs were created by Wati Maraiwai Talavutu, a Masi artist . 

The national airline, Fiji Airways, worked with Masi artist Makereta Matmosi to revamp its logo in 2012 when it rebranded from Air Pacific. If this gives you the urge to fly, take a look at our round-up of airline logos . 

06. New York Board of Tourism (USA)

It wouldn’t be fair to exclude the most iconic tourist board logo in the world. Milton Glaser’s design for New York has been replicated countless times, even though it says nothing about the city or its unique selling points – it’s simply about loving the place. There’s no trace of the skyline or attractions here; not even a nod to the city’s ‘Big Apple’ nickname (unless the red heart reminds you of a red apple, in which case you’re probably just hungry). The lettering is set in American Typewriter, which has rounded slab serifs and feels suitably casual for the city that never sleeps. Glaser drew the sketch in red crayon back in 1976, and the original drawing can be found at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

After 9/11, the logo was adjusted by Glaser to remind residents and tourists how strong New Yorkers can be; he changed the text to read ‘I [heart] NY more than ever’ , and gave one edge of the heart a small scorch mark; you can find this emotive design at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. 

Glaser died in 2020, but this year we saw the logo morphed into ‘We [heart] NY’ thanks to Graham Clifford Design. We weren’t the only ones disturbed by the new look, with its cheap-looking 3D heart and thick sans-serif lettering – a misstep that Glaser thankfully never saw.

07. Experience Bengal (India)

Bengal’s wordmark has a similar feel to Belize – thankfully, there are thousands of miles between the two, as this one is in India. However, there are some precise details that mark this logo as a little bit different. The East Indian state has an incredibly colourful and modern logo that flows well and makes its mark against its competitors. It might remind you of a paint chart or a colour wheel, as each letter contains various fragmented shades.  The sloping arcs of the 'n', 'a' and 'l' stems nicely elevate the logo by dropping below the baseline, moving it away from a boring straight line to something more inventive.

So, why should Bengal be seen as colourful? In parts of West Bengal, the soil is red; meanwhile, the tea plantations and the Himalayas create dramatic scenery. The state also has its own distinct style of weaving, which appears on saris, and its own art movement, known as the Bengal School, in the early 20th century, as well as a history of Patachitra painting. If you want to apply the chosen slogan, ‘the sweetest part of India’, to Bengali food, that’s pretty colourful too – speciality desserts include amriti, which are spirals of sweet dough fried in ghee.

08. City of Rotterdam (Holland)

Did you guess that Rotterdam is a riverside city and also a port? This logo, covering the wider Rotterdam area, depicts a flowing river bursting through the letter 'R'. What was almost a 2D logo has been enhanced with a drop shadow on the lettering, in the same dark blue as the water, making the green façade of the letter really stand out. It has been in place since 1999, but by 2017, politician Sven de Langen called for this logo to be replaced with the city’s coat of arms and its original motto, 'Strong through struggle'. Thankfully for design lovers and modernists, this has not come to pass.

So, why else is the water theme relevant here? Rotterdam has the largest port in Europe, so water is the key to trade. Plus, many cities in the Netherlands are passionate about sustainability, and Rotterdam is no exception. There’s even a self-sufficient floating farm on the water, home to a herd of dairy cows, which attracted press coverage worldwide; plus, this year, an exhibition called Water Cities Rotterdam , developed by the Niewe Instituut and the architecture firm NLÉ. Whilst the tourism logo lettering is placed in the river rather than floating on top, it definitely shows that water is a key part of life in the city, and this design wasn’t plucked out of thin air.

For more on logos, see our best simple logos , best 20th century logos and best 90s logos roundups.