Year: 2024

Belize Tourism 2024: A Year of Record-Breaking Growth and New Horizons

As we wrap up 2024, News 5 is excited to bring you our digital Year in Review! This year, we're diving into the highlights and challenges of the past twelve months, all organised by themes. Join us as we look back at the stories that shaped our year…

2024 has been a landmark period for Belize’s tourism industry, marked by unprecedented growth, innovative initiatives, and significant challenges. As we look back on the past twelve months, it’s clear that Belize has not only recovered from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic but has also set new records and explored exciting new avenues in tourism.

Record-Breaking Visitor Numbers

2024 has been projected as Belize’s biggest tourism year in history, and the numbers certainly support this optimistic outlook. On a single day in March, Belize welcomed the highest number of visitors ever recorded, with 16,000 passengers arriving on its shores. This surge in visitors is part of a broader trend that has seen a 25% increase in overnight stays and a 47% increase in cruise ship visits compared to the previous year. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) anticipates that 2024 will not only meet but surpass pre-pandemic levels, making it a historic year for the industry.

Strategic Initiatives and Unique Attractions

The remarkable recovery of Belize’s tourism sector can be attributed to several strategic initiatives by the BTB and the unique qualities that Belize offers. Key among these initiatives is the expansion of airlift capacity, with efforts focused on increasing routes from the U.S., which accounts for a significant portion of overnight visitors. Additionally, Belize’s genuine hospitality and the friendliness of its people have been consistently highlighted in visitor surveys as it enhances the country’s appeal as a premier destination.

Lloyd Enriquez, Director of Cruise at BTB, stressed the importance of these efforts, stating, “Expanding routes is very critical for us. The U.S. market in particular accounts for 68 percent or thereabouts of our total overnight visitors. So that’s where we focus most of our efforts.”

Cruise Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges

Cruise tourism has also seen significant growth, with Belize expected to welcome up to 950,000 cruise visitors this year. However, the short duration of cruise visits poses a challenge, as tourists often struggle to decide how to spend their limited time on land. Efforts are being made to introduce new destinations and activities within a one-hour radius of the port to enhance the cruise visitor experience.

Despite these efforts, smaller tour operators face stiff competition from larger companies, making it difficult for them to secure business. Nonetheless, the sense of community among tour operators and the support from the BTB have been crucial in navigating these challenges. John Pollard, President of the Belize Tourism and Tour Operations Union, noted, “BTB has been a very great help to all of us. They have looked out for us through the entire slow time.”

Regarding cruise tourism, Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler pointed out that the lack of a docking facility in Belize City is a major factor in the decline of cruise arrivals, as larger ships require docking facilities, which Belize currently lacks.

Safety Concerns and Travel Advisories

In 2024, the Canadian government issued a travel advisory for Belize, warning its nationals to exercise caution due to high levels of crime, particularly in southside Belize City. The advisory highlighted gang and drug-related violence and the recent state of emergency declared in Belize City and the Cayo district. In response, Minister Mahler reassured Canadian travellers that Belize remains a safe destination and emphasised ongoing efforts to address safety concerns.

“We take it seriously, and we are in constant dialogue with our PR agency in Canada,” Mahler said. “Come to Belize; it is safe.”

The advisory was updated on December 12 with the ‘Health—Travel health notice for Zika Virus removed.”

Exploring New Tourism Avenues

Belize has also been exploring new avenues in tourism, such as agro-tourism. The Ministry of Agriculture highlighted the potential for tourists to visit farms and experience agricultural activities, from bull riding to harvesting crops. This initiative aims to diversify Belize’s tourism offerings and attract visitors interested in unique, hands-on experiences.

“A new theme that’s being discussed around the world is agro-tourism,” said Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai. “There are many beautiful farms in Belize that tourists would like to see.”

Cultural tourism is thriving, with unique experiences like the Garifuna dish Hudut drawing tourists. The Martinez family of Hopkins Village has turned the preparation of Hudut into a cultural experience at their Palmento Grove Eco-Cultural and Healing Lodge. Visitors embark on a kayak journey across Fresh Water Creek Lagoon to Kalipuna Island, where they engage in hands-on activities like learning about local plants, preparing traditional foods, and participating in drumming and dancing. The family’s immersive tour also introduces guests to Garifuna culture, history, spirituality, and herbal remedies. Though the business is relatively young, starting in 2018 after a setback, it has become a vibrant addition to Belize’s cultural tourism scene, offering personalised tours and collaborating with other local operators for activities like horseback riding.

Belize is positioning itself as a growing hub for medical tourism, with plans to integrate health services into its broader tourism strategy. Minister Mahler emphasised the importance of a robust health infrastructure to support this development, noting that while medical tourism is still in its early stages, there has been progress. Belize already offers dental services to cruise passengers and aims to expand into cosmetic surgeries. Mahler also reassured that despite incidents like a recent shark attack, tourist perceptions of Belize remain largely unchanged, praising the swift response of dive operators.

Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Initiatives

Sustainability has been a key focus for Belize in 2024. The country was named the “World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination” at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. This recognition underscores Belize’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices and its efforts to protect its natural and cultural assets.

Belize’s ocean wealth, estimated at $1 billion annually, also presents significant opportunities for the tourism, fisheries, and related sectors. Initiatives like the Blue Bond program aim to map and leverage this wealth to benefit the country’s economy and environment. Narda Garcia, C.E.O. in the Office of the Prime Minister, said, “The value that has been placed is $1 billion Belize dollars on tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection, $1 billion annually.”

Strengthening Regional and International Partnerships

Belize has been proactive in strengthening regional and international partnerships to boost tourism. A delegation of government officials and private sector representatives travelled to Chetumal, Mexico, to promote the Coconut and Corn Festival and discuss cross-border trade. The second annual fest, organised by the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) Corozal Chapter, took place in August and featured entertainment, a parade, and culinary offerings highlighting local coconut and corn dishes. The delegation’s visit went beyond tourism promotion, as discussions also focused on strengthening trade ties between Belize and Mexico, particularly in areas like transportation, communication, and tours. Efforts to improve border-crossing processes were also addressed, with Belize’s removal of travel duties for Mexican visitors and the introduction of a duty-free stay.

Additionally, Belize participated in the World Travel Market Latin America 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil, to explore potential partnerships and attract more visitors from Latin America. Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, led the Belizean delegation at the event that saw 27,000 professionals and 620 exhibitors from around the world participate. This provided an opportunity for Belize to explore potential partnerships with businesses from across Latin America. Representatives from the Belize Tourism Board, Barefoot Caye Caulker Hotel, Muy’Ono Resorts, and Table Rock Jungle Lodge were present in the Belize pavilion. Mahler emphasised that Latin America, particularly Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, represents an untapped market for Belize, and with targeted efforts, more visitors could be attracted. He highlighted the ease of travel to Belize from São Paulo and the potential for increased tourism, noting a significant press conference with over 100 journalists and travel industry professionals. Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler stated, “We strongly believe that if we put in the effort, we can get more people to come.”

Guatemalan Gunboat Runs Aground on Belize Barrier Reef

News Five has confirmed that a Guatemalan gunboat illegally entered Belize near Sapodilla Cayes.

Pictures shared by PGTV show the boat in Belizean water.

This is a developing story.

Back in November 2022, Belize officially filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to secure a final and binding resolution regarding its sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes, including Seal Caye, amid a territorial dispute with Honduras.

The government said that the move is aimed at protecting the country’s territorial integrity and fostering friendly relations with Honduras. “The Government of Belize emphasizes that it has taken this measure to protect the vital interests of Belize in ensuring the full and final settlement of all outstanding territorial disputes to Belizean territory,” the statement read. It further noted that the application was submitted “in support and furtherance of its friendly relations with Honduras.”

Belize says the cayes have been part of its territory since the early 19th century, first as part of the settlement of Belize, later as part of the British Honduras colony, and since 1981 as part of the independent state of Belize.

Belize argues that its sovereignty over the cayes is firmly established under international law, rejecting Honduras’ counterclaim. The government points out that Honduras’ claim, first articulated in its 1982 Constitution, has “no basis in international law.”

Curtis Molina Charged in Monkey River Triple Murder

Forty-five-year-old Curtis Molina has been officially charged with three counts of murder for the December 14, 2024, killings of his cousin, 39-year-old Elvis Garbutt Sr.; Garbutt’s wife, 30-year-old Emerita Garbutt; and their three-year-old son, Ellis Garbutt, in Monkey River Village.

The family was ambushed while driving home; their vehicle was obstructed by trees placed on the road. When Elvis exited to clear the path, Molina reportedly emerged from the bushes and fatally shot him, then proceeded to kill Emerita and Ellis. Two other children, 11-year-old Eliana and 8-year-old Elvis Jr., were in the vehicle; Eliana sustained injuries but managed to escape and alert neighbours, while Elvis Jr. was unharmed.

Police apprehended Molina near the village as he attempted to flee by boat. Investigations suggest the motive was robbery; Molina allegedly knew that Elvis had cash intended for purchasing a boat. The shotgun used in the murders was recovered and reported stolen from a nearby residence.

The tragic incident has left the small community of Monkey River Village in shock, with two young children now orphaned. Authorities are preparing to present the case in court following consultations with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Cousins Were Murdered Because of Drugs

Two 21-year-old men, Christopher Smith Junior of Linda Vista and Karl Lindo of Mile 15 Hattieville/Boom Road, have been arraigned for the double murder of cousins Marvin Cante and Juan Carlos Raymundo. The pair appeared unrepresented before the magistrate’s court, where they were jointly charged with two counts of murder. Due to the severity of the charges, no plea was taken, and bail was denied. They were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 12, 2025.

The duo stands accused of brutally murdering the cousins whose dismembered bodies were found in a shallow grave in the American New Site area of Hattieville on November 27.

It has since been confirmed that the motive behind the crime was drug-related. According to police, the two young men had gone to purchase drugs from an individual, but the transaction went wrong, leading to the tragic outcome. One of the accused led investigators to where the bodies were buried.

Man Allegedly Murders Cousins for 3000 Dollars in Monkey River

Over the weekend, a horrific triple murder in Monkey River Village left two children without their mother, father, and three-year-old brother, shaking the small coastal community to its core. On Saturday night, between seven and eight p.m., thirty-nine-year-old Elvis Garbutt Senior, thirty-year-old Emerita Garbutt, and their three children were ambushed by a gunman while traveling to the village. The attack resulted in three deaths and one injury. Thankfully, the two surviving children managed to escape and alert their relatives. The family is now grieving the heartbreaking loss of the parents and their young child. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the full report.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It was an ordinary evening for a family of five in Monkey River Village, returning home after an outing. Just minutes from their destination, their night took a tragic turn. A gunman with a shotgun emerged from the bush and opened fire on the vehicle. Thirty-nine-year-old Elvis Garbutt, thirty-year-old Emerita Garbutt, their three-year-old son Elvis Garbutt Jr., and their dog were all killed on the spot. Despite being injured in the face and hand, Elvis’ eleven-year-old daughter managed to escape and ran to her aunt’s house for help. Elvis’ mother, Enid Garbutt, revealed that the gunman was allegedly her son’s own cousin, Curtis Molina. Another relative reported seeing Curtis walking down the street with a shotgun.

 

                     Enid Garbutt

Enid Garbutt, Mother of Deceased

“ In the meanwhile we talk about it, I hear ah screaming. And we start to bawl, and I say unu come because ney kill me daughter over deh, ney rob mi daughter ova deh. They rob me daughter over there. We hear the bawling. So when we run, come up by the point deh, they bawl, I see the lee gyal. Wa lee bwai have the lee gyal inna ih lap, and he face da lone blood. She say auntie, she say, please help me. She say, Curtis, she say, shot mi ma, mi bredda, and mi pa.”

 

The eleven-year-old daughter was quickly taken by boat to Independence Village for treatment. She had lost two fingers and suffered a bullet wound to her face, while her eight-year-old brother miraculously escaped uninjured. The family believes that the motive behind Molina’s horrific act was the three thousand dollars Elvis had saved to buy a small boat.

 

Enid Garbutt

“From the time they tell me that he come pan the road with gun, I done got a feeling that da my son he come after because my son had a lee money on him to go buy a skiff tomorrow, and he know about it.”

Fearing for the worse, Elvis’ siblings and mother had tried to alert him to the possible threat, but it was already too late. Three members of the family were gone.

 

Enid Garbutt

“Now Avington, my son tell me like this, he say, ma, he not think that the bwai would a do ah nothing because ney da first cousin.  So, ney call him back again, ih next brother, Percival call a back and say, bwai get to Elvis he say, and make him know that Curtis de pon the road. No come. Nende time, poor thing, my son done dead.”

 

The weapon Molina had been spotted with was allegedly stolen from a neighbor’s home. He then told neighbors that he had borrowed it to go hunting.

 

                     Molina

Enid Garbutt

“The man weh he take the gun neva deh home, he mi deh da Independence. So one of my sister-in-law, say when he pass with the gun, he have it wrap up in a towel or something. She say ih ask ah you gwen go hunting then?  She say, he tell her, yes, I gwen go hunting. Then my sister-in-law, say, what kind of thing, go and go kill then? No know that that woulda be the last ah mi son.”

 

Police were alerted around 8:45 p.m. and immediately launched a search for Molina, the prime suspect. As his whereabouts remained unknown, his family waited in fear, dreading what he might do next.

 

Enid Garbutt

“Alla ah  we just have to wait for the police. Nobody want to move because then it’s dangerous. So everybody just wait until we call for the police and then the police they come. And then my son come and he hang on by the river and he say he still see the kayak there. He couldn’t get into the vehicle because the police, they make you know, they cannot touch nothing until.”

 

Molina was captured by police the next day when he was spotted paddling a boat nearby. When questioned, he claimed he had been out hunting but later led officers to the hidden gun. With Christmas just around the corner, the loss of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild weighs heavily on Enid Garbutt’s heart. Although Molina had several run-ins with the law, the family never expected something this tragic.

 

Britney Gordon

“How are you guys all navigating this and trying to cope with something as traumatic as this?”

 

Enid Garbutt

“Well, I think it very, very hard, I tell you. Very hard. I can’t take it.  My son neva figure that this bwai would eva do ah anything because ney da first cousin.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Tragedy in Monkey River: Orphaned Children After Family Murdered

In a sad turn of events, eleven-year-old Eliana Garbutt and her eight-year-old brother, Elvis Junior, are now without their parents. The family of five was viciously attacked on their way home, resulting in the tragic deaths of their father, Elvis Garbutt Senior, their mother, Emerita Garbutt, and their three-year-old brother, Ellis Garbutt. Police have arrested Curtis Molina, who was found near the village, attempting to flee towards the coast in a small boat. The victims were discovered late Saturday night in their vehicle along Monkey River Road. We spoke with A.C.P. Hilberto Romero to understand what might have driven this senseless act of violence.

 

                 Hilberto Romero

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division, 031G1029

“On Saturday, 14th of December, 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Monkey River Village. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless bodies of three male persons. They were identified as Elvis Garbutt Sr., Manuela Garbutt, and Ellis Garbutt. Police found multiple injuries on the three persons. An investigation was conducted. Thereafter, information was received that Elvis Garbutt was driving his vehicle on the Monkey River Road when he saw an obstruction on the road; he stopped to clear the road, at which point a person came out of the bushes and fired a shot that fatally injured him. The person then fired another shot towards his wife, fatally injuring her. And then he took out the child from the vehicle and caused fatal injuries to the child. He also fired a shot inside a vehicle where two other children were. They managed to run off, and they alerted neighbors. The police were called, and neighbours came, and the three bodies were discovered. We have one person in custody pending charges. The investigation revealed that this is a robbery. The suspect knew that this person had some cash, as this person wanted to buy a boat in the village. So he had that information. And after he shot Elvis Garbutt, then he was asking for the money from the vehicle.”

 

Benita Kemé-Palacio

“So he [Elvis] had the money inside the vehicle?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, there was some money in the vehicle. Correct.”

Two Men Charged for the Murders of Belmopan Cab Drivers

Tonight, a pair of twenty-one-year-old men, Christopher Alexander Smith Junior, a construction worker from Linda Vista, and Karl Lindo, an unemployed resident of Mile 15 Hattieville/Boom Road, has been arraigned for the double murder of two cousins in Hattieville. The duo appeared unrepresented before the Magistrate’s Court where they were jointly charged with two counts of murder for the November twenty-seventh, 2024, killings of Marvin Cante and Juan Carlos Raymundo. Due to the severity of the offenses, the magistrate explained that no plea would be taken, and bail could not be granted. They were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February twelfth, 2025. Last Wednesday, around 3:00 p.m., police received information about two bodies suspected to be buried in a shallow grave in the American New Site area of Hattieville Village. Officers proceeded to the location and discovered a shallow grave covered in red clay. The next morning, police returned with a Scenes of Crime Technician, and they unearthed the dismembered bodies of two Hispanic men, believed to be the missing cousins, Marvin Cante and Juan Carlos Raymundo. The remains have been taken to the NFSS for a post-mortem examination.

Two Men Arrested for the Murder of Missing Cousins

It’s been less than a week since the tragic discovery of cousins Marvin Cante and Juan Raymundo, whose bodies were found buried in a shallow grave near Hattieville. The cousins went missing on November twenty-eight, and their vehicle was found abandoned, engine still running. Their family insists they were never involved in any illicit activities, but police investigations have revealed a darker side. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, the two men were killed following a failed transaction. Romero shared more details on this tragic case.

 

Hilberto Romero

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Reference the murders of Marvin Cante and Juan Raymundo that occurred last week. We have since arrested and charged Carl Lindo and Christopher Smith for two counts of murder. We are seeking two more suspects in regards to this murder investigation. The information we have is that they came to the Hattieville area to do a transaction, and something went wrong there, and they were taken to those bushes and killed.”

 

Reporter:

“Are the accused known to police with respect to the sale of drugs?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they are known to police.”

Tax-Free Weekend Attracts Thousands of Belizean Shoppers

The first of two GST-free shopping weekends this Christmas season wrapped up on Sunday, with thousands of shoppers flocking to stores across the country. Belizeans took advantage of the tax-free days on December fourteenth and fifteenth to buy groceries, electronics, and other household appliances. This shopping frenzy was made possible by a statutory instrument that came into effect on Friday, allowing approved goods to be sold at zero percent general sales tax. However, the weekend wasn’t without its hiccups. Several reports of noncompliance surfaced, with some store owners trying to dodge the waiver by backdating receipts or insisting that customers pay cash for their purchases. Earlier today, News Five caught up with Michelle Longsworth, Director General of the Belize Tax Services, to discuss these issues.

 

              Michelle Longsworth

Michelle Longsworth, Director General, Belize Tax Services

“This past weekend, the fourteenth and the fifteenth, saw the first two days for that tax-free days.  The tax-free days not only provided immediate financial relief for the public, but it also, it served as a critical tool for BTS, for us to identify areas like non-compliance where we needed to strengthen enforcement and also refine taxpayers’ knowledge.  That is important for us.  So, we look at this whole aspect of these tax-free days as a balancing relief to taxpayers with enhanced administration insight.  So this initiative delivered benefits that extended beyond, I think beyond the primary goal of just tax relief to the final consumer but also supporting government’s broader objectives for fiscal responsibility and fairness.  And I think that is important for us to stress. A number of noncompliance reports were made in certain stores and this was across the country, not only Belize City, and, as you rightly said, you had some refusing to honor the GST exemption on eligible goods.  You had some who were selectively applying the GST exemption, and then I think there was some misinterpretation because I think taxpayers are not fully of what are zero-rated items and what are standard-rated items.  So when they saw that receipt they were a bit confused as to what attracted the GST.  So when they didn’t see the full 12.5% on the total sales, we had to be explaining to some of them that the receipt would either be reflecting items that said Z, which means zero-rated; G, which means GST, and you’d have to total just the GST items.  But I will say that the real-time problem resolution that we assisted with was through our hotlines. So the minute we got reports, we dispatched our officers to these businesses and I will say that most of the businesses were receptive and complied after intervention, even though for some of the businesses we had to do repeated visits.”

 

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