Land border are set to reopen on January first, but there are concerns as to what measures are being put in place to shield the population from another COVID-19 outbreak. Those measures are yet to be announced. We asked PM Briceño for an update. Prime Minister John Briceño “There are a number of measures. […]
Earlier today, we spoke with Doctor Melissa Diaz-Musa, a member of the COVID Medical Response Committee. We got her comments on the reopening of land borders on January first. It is expected that a lot of Belizeans will flock to the northern and western borders to head to Chetumal and Melchor. According to Tourism Minister […]
Today, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler responded to a myriad of questions, beginning with the cabinet decision to reopen land borders on January first. Minister Mahler breaks down the protocols being put in place for Belizeans traveling to and from Mexico and Guatemala. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations […]
Back in mid October, Prime Minister John Briceño appeared on Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes, telling the hosts that if the COVID-19 numbers continued on a downward trend, the curfew hours would be pushed back. But more importantly for many waiting to go back to Mexico and Guatemala, the land borders might be re-opening in […]
As we reported on Wednesday, Belize has been named as a top tourist destination in the Latin America and Caribbean for 2021. Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler today gave a forecast for tourism numbers moving forward. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations “We believe with the additional flights that we have coming […]
Among those plans is seeing Belize become a hub for regional airline carriers. Minister Mahler explains what that process is looking like and the need for reducing taxes for regional travelers from Central America. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations “We believe that we can have Belize as a – I don’t […]
On Tuesday, Cabinet approved the reopening of land borders, effective January first, 2022. The announcement was made by way of a Cabinet brief issued this afternoon. The brief noted that health conditions to such travel will be published at a later time, so it is not clear if this will include testing requirements. Additionally, the […]
There is good news tonight for the tourism industry and by extension the economy as a report from Forward Keys is indicating that Belize is among the top destinations in the Latin America and Caribbean region rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report gives a retrospective of the year 2021 compared to pre-pandemic figures in […]
‘Tis the season for increased air travel and visitors from the U.S. or Belizeans heading north now have yet another option. Frontier Airlines arrived in Belize for the first time this weekend. News Five’s Marion Ali was at the P.G.I.A. to greet the new arrivals and found out more about the new routes. Marion […]
New public health measures came into effect on Monday night. These will see the curfew hours extended to eleven p.m. to four a.m. on week days and twelve a.m. to four a.m. on weekends. Additionally, new measures are being imposed for persons entering Belize through the airport who have travelled from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, […]
There are reports coming out of New Orleans are that up to seventeen passengers and crew members on a Norwegian cruise line ship, which stopped in Belize recently, have tested positive for COVID-19. Reports are that the vessel left New Orleans on November twentieth and as it made its voyage it stopped in Belize, Honduras […]
The tourism industry was among the first to be shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the country rebounds, there is need to adapt new strategies going forward. Josue Carballo is the Industry Development Director with the Belize Tourism Board and earlier this week, he was asked about what is being done to build the capacity […]
The omicron virus – the latest strain of COVID-19 – has been detected in the United States. Scientists from South Africa, where it was first identified, say that omicron is more transmissible and that so far, the symptoms have been mild. But it is the stresses to the healthcare system that is of great concern […]
There is some exciting news out of Chetumal, especially for those living in the northern half of the country. American Airlines is now flying from that border town to Miami. The first flight landed in Chetumal today. The new route gives Belizeans another travel option, at least when the northern border reopens. At the moment […]
Last night we told you that new curfew hours, giving Belizeans additional time to be out at night, will be rolling out beginning November twenty-second. Restaurants will also no longer be required to check vaccination cards after that date. But this has raised concerns, since at least twenty COVID deaths have been reported in the […]
Protecting Belize’s pristine beauty, something unique only to us, is something that Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler agreed with Prime Minister Briceño about. At the core of that protection, Mahler says is the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan that will help small businesses too. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism “The entire Tourism product in Belize […]
The Belize Coast Guard has rescued two American women who were attempting to reach the US on a sailboat. The foreign-flagged sailboat named Sencilla had left Livingston, Guatemala en route to Florida on Wednesday, but soon after departure it encountered unfavorable weather conditions and its engine failed. Then its sails got damaged and the boat […]
Thomas warns seafarers who want to venture out on long marine voyages to pay keen attention to the weather advisories to avoid getting caught in thunderstorms and rough sea conditions that can potentially put their lives at risk. Lt. Kenrick Thomas, Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard “We at the Coast Guard would like to […]
Today officials from the Ministry of Immigration gathered to mark the midway point in the development of a new e-passport system which will transition Belize towards passports that contain a chip with the holder’s bio-data. Electronic passports are already widely used across the globe and Government is looking forward to our citizens being able to […]
Public transportation systems across the world are often accused of being huge carbon emitters for their heavy reliance on fossil fuel, as well as the pollution they create. But, as climate change remains a pressing global crisis, technologies are being developed to replace traditional automobiles with environmentally friendly alternatives. One such alternative is electric vehicles. […]
There is a bright spot for tourism today as two airlines resume seasonal flights to Belize. This morning WestJet landed from Toronto, Canada. This carrier will be servicing Belize until April 30, 2022. According to the Belize Tourism Board, this is happening just as restrictions for leisure travel have been relaxed both in Canada and […]
This week, frontline workers who work in tourism at the Philip Goldson International Airport and the cruise ports are getting customer service training to improve the quality of service they provide to tourists. The sessions are part of the Belize Tourism Board’s Destination Ambassador’s program which aims to strengthen the recovery of the tourism industry. […]
International Air Traffic Controllers Day is celebrated annually on October twentieth. Although they are not often seen by the public, they are there to ensure your safe departure from the PGIA and safe landing when returning home. Here is a clip from the Ministry of Civil Aviation highlighting the men and women behind this profession […]
People who are posing as tour guides and do not have certification from the Belize Tourism Board can also face penalties if they are caught operating or conducting tours. Today the Belize Tourism Board issued a warning to people who do not have their licence to operate as prescribed under the laws of Belize. According […]
While on Open Your Eyes, the Director of the Belize Tourist Board, Evan Tillett said bringing visitors back remains the big challenge. He says vaccination remains key, and the sector’s front line workers have stepped up to get their jabs. But CEO Solano says what works to protect local Belizeans may not work for tourism […]
