Ministry of Tourism Endorses Belize Sign
Estefan Perera and other residents within the Buttonwood Bay area constructed a Belize sign as an attraction to the Seashore Children’s Park. The brightly colored signage easily became a well-liked public space for locals and since its construction, it has served as an attraction for tourists and tours across the city. Today, Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia Junior, was present for a short ribbon cutting ceremony saying that he would strongly support other seaside communities that embark on similar projects.
Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
“The colors well reflect the logo of B.T.B. and the B.T.B. is an institution that promotes tourism. But this park is a little different. It is about the children; a park that was once being used more by the adults for other activities. Today, it is well-lighted and you can see the children enjoying not only the shelter over here but also the sign where you can see them climbing over there and their parents taking pictures. On the other side with the tourism industry, it is being used as a Belize City tour. Many of the cruise passengers would pass over here and take pictures in front of the sign and I believe that a lot of it is owed to Steve Perera initiative and the neighbors over here. Totally compliment them and support them in this effort and I think that other communities supposed to follow this footstep. Hopefully in San Pedro we will be doing our own San Pedro sign like this one. I have culture also and this has cultural creativity. The person that built this one, he has a lot of talent also and Steve, even though he is an attorney, he is very creative. His cultural initiative also and at the same time, it is tourist attractive. It attracts not only the kids, but also our foreigners that come from abroad to see that we are very proud of Belize. This big sign about Belize really showcases Belize as a destination for tourism.”
Duane Moody
Manuel Heredia Jr.
“Do you think this would be ideal in other districts?”
Manuel Heredia Jr.
“Definitely, particularly the seaside communities like Dangriga, Toledo, Corozal, San Pedro and smaller villages like Sarteneja, Chunox and those areas. I think it will really excel in their communities.”
Reporter
“Any sort of a national commitment from the Ministry of Tourism or the Belize Tourism Board to have any sort of other works being done here at this park?”
Manuel Heredia Jr.
“Yes, I personally believe that we as the Ministry of Tourism and B.T.B. should have taken a bigger initiative from the very beginning, but it was not until Steve met me in San Pedro that he told me about this initiative. But I am sure that at some point, we will make our fair contribution for the expansion of this park which I very well believe it will serve the interest of one, the kids and two, the tourism industry.”
The sign was placed in the park in collaboration with the Belize City Council following a proposal to privatize a section of the land.
