BIMFF to Attract International Artists, Promote Belizean Talent

While the festival provides a platform for Belizean artist to network with international performers, it is also is a tool to attract international tourists to the country, in a hope to boost arrivals in the slow season.

Anthony Mahler

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“The initial one was just to highlight that we have talent here in Belize coupled with talent from all over the world that we want to attract as we development this. If you look at the Saint Lucia Jazz Fest, it took them maybe ten fifteen years for it to be developed where it is today. Also with that, we have invested in the music studios and so we believe that music, culture, all these things can play an important role in putting Belize out there to the world. And so, we have invested in these areas, we continue to do so. And we will continue to do so for years to come as long as we are in the driver’s seat.”

Josue Carballo

Josue Carballo, Director of Industry Development, B.T.B.

“Records show that last year, there wasn’t that big dip in the low season. We have started to gain traction and these first three months we have had record-breaking months. And so we continue to work with our international agencies now and we are having more time now ahead to be promoting this festival that has began and as I said it is something that is catching up and once we are consistent, doing it annually, it is just going to get bigger and it will be more renowned nationally, regionally and internationally.”

Last year, the festival attracted as many as eight thousand concertgoers over the two days of activities. This year, the projection is that that number will be higher.