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2015 was a Great year for Tourism in Belize, where there was substantial growth especially during the last quarter of the year. BTB hopes to maintain those high figures for the year 2016 and hopefully increase it. But the year didn't start well for the tourism industry. First there was the murder of Canadian film director Matthew Klinck, then there was the slaying of American Anne Swaney. In addition to that, tour operator Paumen has been charged for abetment to murder.

So, what is Cabinet's response to those events that threaten to contaminate Belize foreign exchange bread basket?

Today we had a chance to speak with the Ministers of Tourism and National Security – and here's what they told us:

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"These are what can be considered isolated incidents against tourists but we do take them very seriously because even one incident if taken out of proportion can affect the product that we offer here. So we're been doing what we can to make the people know especially our potential visitors that these two incidents were random incidents, that its not a trend, it is not anything we believe will continue and of course the police department will continue to work in collaboration with the tourism industry, tourism board to make sure that we continue to keep Belize as a safe destination for tourists."

Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Minister of Tourism

"I am very concerned about the situation, you are perfectly right. I believe that 3 or 4 have died; at two at Hol Chaan so personally I will take the incentive to be able to speak with the stakeholders that we need to assure now that any tourist, particular the elderly tourist that they will present us some medical; because they always walk with either a card or something that they present us with one of those to make sure that they are in good health. I know of a fisherman that tourist will come and want to enjoy as much as possible and sometimes they overdo it; which many times it will be a heart failure that occur, in this case I sure that was the case. We need to protect the image of this country and I will be speaking today to my director to make sure that we implement a system whereby we will make sure that this tourist has something their country that says that they are in good health condition."

We note that in a press briefing a few weeks ago the Belize Tourism Board said they are working on a marketing strategy to counter the bad rep Belize has gotten in the past 4 weeks