Minister of Tourism

Despite the opposition of numerous tourism stakeholders to the government's plan to require health and travel insurance on visitors, this new requirement is expected to come into effect on February 15th. The new requirement even applies to those with their own health and travel insurance. This new insurance will be available for purchase via an online portal still in the works or at any country's entry point. The cost is US$18 for coverage up to US$50,000 in medical expenses related to COVID-19 and up to US$2,000 for lodging at the mandatory quarantine. The policy also makes provisions for trip cancellations, which may be necessary if someone falls ill with the virus. 

The full re-opening of land borders with Mexico and Guatemala set for January 1, 2022, has now been pushed to February. This abrupt change comes after formal recommendations from the COVID-19 Advisory Committee.

On Thursday, December 3rd the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) held their 35th Annual General Meeting.

Stakeholders welcomed the amendments to the new Statutory Instrument (SI) regarding the COVID-19 Regulations 2020 No. 170, allowing open-air restaurants to accommodate a 50% seating capacity instead of only 12 patrons as previously announced. The 21-day curfew scheduled for Saturday, November 28th, will start at 10PM and not at 9PM as previously announced and ending at 4:59AM.

"I write to register my deep concern that as you are the Area Representative for Belize Rural South and the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, there has been no public address by you, the Director of Tourism and the Director of Civil Aviation on the most devastating tourism crisis to hit Belize. After 3 months, at minimum, one should have heard from your Ministry on what plans, procedures or processes are being worked on to help with a slow restart of the industry, to guide the industry on preparing for the coming difficult months and since you are the current Area Representative, to help the residents of Belize Rural South for which tourism is the core of the revenue generation for the community."

Dear Editor, I am here visiting San Pedro again. I am addressing this letter to the people of San Pedro and to the Town Board...