Pioneer in Local Tourism Industry, Peter Tonti, Passes Away

Peter Tonti

The tourism industry has lost one of its pioneers. Peter Tonti, the C.E.O. of Cahal Pech Village Resort passed away on Thursday.  Tonti has been visiting Belize since the nineteen seventies as part of the Peace Corps. He fell in love with the country and decided to make it his home. He made his first mark on the industry when he joined the Belmopan Convention Hotel in the eighties. Tonti, who served as administrator for fifteen years at The Lodge at Chaa Creek is also credited as instrumental in helping the lodge capitalize on the luxury market.  A release issued by the Belize Tourism Board says, “recognizing the potential in the local tourism industry, he became heavily involved in the development of the industry. He was a part of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (B.T.I.A.), since its inception, as a standing member, advisor, and later a part of the Board of Directors.” Tonti will be laid to rest on April twenty-second at three p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish Church in San Ignacio.