On Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 – the Belize Tourism Board held a press conference with media from across the country at noon today. The venue for the lunch press conference was the Cahal Pech Room of the Radisson Fort George Hotel.

The lunch press conference allowed an opportunity for the public sector’s tourism leaders to meet with the press and present its latest management direction. Ms. Seleni Matus, Belize’s newly appointed Director of Tourism was presented to the media. Ms. Matus brings over ten years of experience in leading large-scale initiatives that have helped to mainstream sustainable tourism principles into key sectors of the tourism industry. She also worked throughout Mexico and Central America as Advisor with Conservation International’s Centre for Environmental Leadership in Business. Matus, a Belizean born, takes over from former Director of Tourism, Tracy Panton’s 12 year reign.

Also noted at the press conference was the appointment of BTB’s new Chairman of Board, Mr. Lindsay Garbutt. Mr. Garbutt takes over from former Chairman, Mr. Gaspar Guerrero who served in that capacity for two years. His decision comes as a result of pressing work commitments, after consultation with the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. Mr. Guerrero continues to serve on the BTB’s Board and the tourism industry. The BTB Board of Directors appreciated Mr. Guerrero’s direction over the past years and welcomed Mr. Garbutt in his new capacity. Mr. Garbutt has previously served on the BTB’s Board of Directors in and re-joined 2008.

For more information on events taking place in Belize’s tourism industry, please contact the Marketing Department at the Belize Tourism Board at 227-2420, via email: info@travelbelize.org or visit our website www.belizetourism.org.