2023 Music and Food Fest Failed to Turn a Profit

Anthony Mahler

The 2023 Belize International Music and Food Festival failed to turn a profit, despite significant monies from the public purse that were invested in the mega concert and food expo at the end of July.  It’s been several months since the two-day event was held here in Belize City but, unlike last year, the Belize Tourism Board has not published the expenditure of the second annual BIMFF.  So when we caught up with Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler this morning on Open Your Eyes, we asked him for an update on the accounting of monies spent on the show.  Despite being unable to make a return on the investment, Minister Mahler says that there are still investments being made in other local festivals.

Isani Cayetano

“It’s been several months since and we‘re trying to get some accountability in terms of where we are with the monies that were spent, how they were spend and what, if any profit was made from that particular event.”

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“For this one, there was no profit made.  The weather caused a lot of issues.  At the end of the day we invested somewhere around maybe two hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand dollars.  I call it an investment, it did not make a profit.  So… but all in all, it‘s a growing program and we believe that it can be a crucial part, especially in the slower part of the season .  And we continue to support other festivals, the chocolate festival, the drum fest, all of these things we believe that if we continue to invest in, that they can play a crucial part in the cultural experience for Belize.”