UNICEF Appoints Young Belizean as Youth Advocate
BELIZE CITY, Belize, 23 November 2020 – UNICEF Belize has appointed 24-year-old youth activist Renata Samuels from Belize as a UNICEF National Youth Advocate. The appointment comes as UNICEF commemorates World Children’s Day on November 20, under the theme “Reimagining our future”. In her new role, Renata will support UNICEF’s work in Belize to advance […]
Sagicor Fills a Need in the Aftermath of Hurricane Eta
Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Eta through Central America during the first week of November, the Sagicor team in Belize mobilized to provide a level of immediate response to first responders and those who may have been forced to head quickly to shelters without time to gather themselves. During the weekend of November 4th […]
Belize Covid-19 Deaths Increasing in Elderly Citizens
There were two deaths reported in Belize, yesterday November 19, 2020. One was a male in his 80’s from Santa Cruz Orange Walk who had been feeling ill at home with cough and shortness of breath, he died at home. The second was a female in her 70’s from Duck Run. Given that the majority […]
Blue Economy To Bring New Opportunities to Belize
The Blue Economy encompasses all that is the sustainable growth of one of the world’s largest resources—the ocean. San Pedro and Caye Caulker are surrounded by the wealth that is our pristine waters. To think about the two islands as solely tourism-based is limiting our own potential. As Hon. Andre Perez, take the helm of […]
Belize Set to Launch First Film and Media School
The Office of the Belize Film Commissioner (OBFC) and Galen University have signed a historic MOU to develop the first Film and Media School in Belize. According to the Film Commissioner, Nigel P. Miguel, “The film industry is perhaps the only creative industry that impacts virtually all others. Building this industry from the ground up […]
New Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler on Recovering Industry
Hon. Anthony Mahler was officially sworn in as Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations on Monday, November 16, 2020. He was appointed by the newly elected Prime Minister after the country’s general elections, which were held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The BTB notes that Minister Mahler is no stranger to tourism, and is fully […]
Andre Perez Appointed Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation
Recently elected Area Representative of Belize Rural South, Mr. Andre Perez of the People’s United Party, has been appointed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the NEW Ministry of Blue Economy. Members of his constituency were expecting his appointment as Minister of Tourism, but the Blue Economy Ministry as much ties with tourism, environment and […]
Ten COVID-19 Deaths in One Day Recorded in Belize
It is unfortunate that the Office of Director of Health Services recorded 10 deaths in Belize on Friday, November 13, 2020. The Corona Virus Pandemic keeps strengthening day by day as, on average, over a hundred cases are reported daily. Yesterday, 385 samples were processed with 119 cases positive for SARS-CoV2 confirmed; this is a […]
Andre Perez Takes Belize Rural South for PUP, Country Goes BLU
Despite of the COVID-19 Pandemic and recovery efforts after Hurricane ETA, Belizeans in impressive numbers voted in the country’s general elections, ousting the United Democratic Party and welcoming the People’s United Party. By 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2020, UDP Party Leader Patrick Faber conceded defeat and sent a congratulatory message to Johnny Briceño. The […]
Belize Passes Legislation Prohibiting Possession and Use of Gillnets
Press Release, Oceana Belize, Belmopan, Belize – In a landmark step to protect livelihoods and strengthen marine conservation, the Government of Belize, on Thursday, November 5, 2020, passed the Statutory Instrument 158 of 2020 titled Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations 2020, banning the possession and use of gillnets in Belize’s marine territorial seas, Exclusive […]
BTB Releases 2019 Belize Travel & Tourism Statistics Digest
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) this week announced the release of the Belize Travel & Tourism Statistics Digest 2019, a digitally interactive publication produced by the BTB in an effort to provide the Tourism Industry with the latest reports on tourism trends. Tourism has developed into one of Belize’s main industries and has become the […]
American Airlines Expands Pre-Flight Covid-19 Testing to Belize
American Airlines, which announced plans to offer COVID-19 testing for flights to Jamaica, Hawaii, and the Bahamas in September, said it would expand its pre-flight testing program to encompass Belize, Grenada, and St. Lucia. The move comes as the airline seeks to help travelers comply with the entry regulations the three countries have imposed amidst […]
A Record 166 Cases of COVID-19 Identified in Belize
A total of 477 COVID-19 samples were processed on Monday, November 3, 2020, with a record number of 166 cases identified, a positivity rate of 34.8%. Zero cases were announced for Ambergris Caye. This spike comes just after it was announced over the weekend that the National Oversight Committee (NOC) has been dissolved. The committee […]
National Garifuna Council Launchs November 2020 Calendar
On Sunday, November 1, 2020, the National Garifuna Council of Belize launched its November Celebrations 2020 and Virtual Calendar of Events. This year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Garifuna Council has decided to host several virtual events that focus on Garifuna identity, spirituality and perseverance, while honoring the contributions of past and […]
New Craft Market Handed to Caye Caulker Village Council
With Belize now open to leisure tourism amid great optimism for a gradual increase in visitors in the upcoming high season, essential infrastructure is now in place to allow Caye Caulker Village artisans to serve their customers in a pleasant environment. On Friday, October 30, 2020, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism & Civil […]
Belize Selected as a TripSavvy Editors’ Choice Award Winner
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to share some exciting and timely news. Belize has won the 2020 TripSavvy Editors’ Choice Award for Industry Leaders. TripSavvy is one of world’s top-10 travel information sites, reaching 2 million+ travelers. Annually, over 50 editors and writers worldwide comb through a year’s worth of ratings, reviews, and […]
Eulogy of Ariel Ali Nunez
Born on February 3, 1963, to two San Pedrano parents, Luis Nuñez Sr. and Abelina Nuñez Cardenez, Ali was raised in a loving home, in a healthy community, and surrounded by love and kindness, joyful and humble living, Ali was bound for a healthy life. He had six siblings to share and enjoy his love […]
COVID-19 Cases Escalating in Belize, New Protocols Established
Press Release, Government of Belize Press Office – Belmopan. October 26, 2020. 6:00 p.m. – The National Oversight Committee (NOC) met this morning for its weekly consideration of Belize’s COVID-19 situation. The NOC took special note of Director of Health Services (DHS) Dr. Marvin Manzanero’s report of October 26, 2020 and was concerned at the […]
University of Belize Holds Historic Virtual Graduation Ceremony
The University of Belize, Belize’s national and premier degree-granting University, hosted its Twenty- Seventh Commencement Ceremony on October 24, 2020 at 6:00 pm. The University of Belize honored 1,192 Graduands at the Associate, Bachelor and Master levels as follows: Bachelor’s 543Associate’s 536 Certificate 83 Diploma 27 Master’s 3 The University celebrates a major milestone where […]
Carina Paz Honored Oceana’s National Wavemaker of the Year
On Saturday, October 24, supporters around the world tuned in as Oceana hosted its first virtual Annual General Meeting for its dedicated supporters, or ‘Wavemakers’, on Facebook live. Honored with Oceana’s 2020 National Wavemaker of the Year with San Pedro island resident, 16-year-old, Carina Paz. Carina Paz grew up in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, finding […]
Belize Introduces Updated Tourism Industry Protocols
Press Release, Belize Tourism Board, Belize City, Belize (Monday, October 20, 2020) – As Belize moves forward to fully reopen and rebuild our tourism industry, the health and safety protocols for tourists continue to be reviewed and updated. At a press conference held on Friday, October 16, 2020 further relaxation of the restrictions on movement […]
Tourist Allowed to Move More Freely in Belize
A negative COVID-19 test result presented upon arrival to Belize or determined following a rapid test at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) will now free visitors and returning Belizeans from having to quarantine for a 10-day period. Prime Minister Barrow said that the government has realized that the mounting number of persons affected by the disease locally is […]
COVID Positive Persons Will Not Be Allowed To Vote in General Election
Section Five of Chapter Nine of the Representation of the People’s Act lists the qualifications that allow persons to vote in the Belize elections. These include that the person must be a Belizean, a Commonwealth citizen residing in Belize for 12 months or more, must be 18-years and over. The Act also lists who is disqualified, […]
Oceana Announces 2020 Ocean Hero Award Winners
Southern fishermen, Lowell ‘Japs’ Godfrey and Neville Smith, honored as advocates for the sea – On Wednesday, October 14, Oceana formally recognized two outstanding Belizeans as the 2020 Ocean Heroes during its first ever virtual award ceremony. This year’s winners are Placencia fisher turned seaweed farmer, Lowell Godfrey and Punta Gorda fisher and businessman, Neville […]
A Call for Justice For Marisela Gonzalez by Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission of Belize issued a press release today stating that it joins the family of Marisela Gonzalez and other members of the public in their resounding calls for justice in the violent and tragic death of Marisela Gonzalez. The release went on to say that, “Violence against women is universal and cuts […]