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Ministry of Tourism
Community and Society
A second submarine cable and other upgrades are in the works to avoid a power crisis in San Pedro
Since 1998, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has been connected to the national electricity grid on the mainland via a submarine cable. Over the years, that submarine cable has been put through the pressure of the island's rapid growth. On Thursday, October 5th, at a meeting hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the Belize Tourism Board in San Pedro, it was revealed that the cable has deteriorated and could lead to a power crisis on the island. While Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) reportedly acknowledged the state of the cable, the company stated they are working on a long-term plan to address this concern, including installing a second submarine cable connecting from the mainland to San Pedro.
Business & Economy
Post-Covid tourism in Belize; Tourism Ministry says arrivals on the rise
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Belize’s economy plummeted after the tourism industry came to a grinding halt. Fast-forward to 2023, the tourism industry has returned, but some believe it doesn’t compare to 2019. On Thursday, September 28th, the Ministry of Tourism shared an update on the state of the industry, citing that the overnight arrivals continue to show improvement and the upcoming high season is expected to be very successful.
Community and Society
Bahamian author reads from her book to children at San Pedro library
Bahamian-born author Jeannie Robertha Gibson was at the San Pedro Public Library on Wednesday, May 24th presenting her new book entitled ‘Grammy Used To Say,’ a collection of Bahamian sayings. She read some phrases from the book to an attentive audience of primary school students, who were familiar with some of the expressions, surprising the author.
Travel & Tourism
San Pedro represented in FITUR tourism fair in Spain
A Belizean delegation, including tourism stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, is currently participating at a tourism fair in Madrid, Spain, known as Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR). The prestigious tourism event ends on January 22nd, and among the Belizean stakeholders promoting the Belize product include San Pedro-based Tropic Air and Matachica Resort.
Community and Society
Government to establish police booths on the island; San Pedro is a safe destination for visitors
Following the violent weekend in San Pedro Town, where a tourist lost her life, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Tourism, plans to add two police booths on the island to enhance policing efforts. Tourists on the island and future travellers are assured that Ambergris Caye is a safe place to visit.
Community and Society
A master plan in the works for Northern Ambergris Caye
Northern Ambergris Caye continues to grow, and to have a better development plan, the Northern Ambergris Caye Development Committee has been created. According to Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño, once the plan is complete, it will be presented to the island community.
Arts & Culture
BTB reports profit of over 50k after hosting first-ever International Music and Food Festival
A report of the International Music and Food Festival held in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on July 30th and 31st was issued by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). The first-ever festival featured Belizean and international entertainers along with international cuisine attracting thousands of travelers to the island. The festival saw its share of criticism, and its performance was questioned due to the number of funds invested. The BTB, however, reported on Wednesday, August 24th, that even though the event budget was exceeded by over $100,000, it still yielded a profit of a little over $51,000.
Government
Cabinet Briefing for 14th July 2022
The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in a regular session on 12th July 2022. Among the issues discussed was the proposal to increase the age of compulsory education from 14 to 16 and the approval for the Ministry of Tourism to apply to become a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
