Tourism Police Unit On The Move
New Release, February 18, 1997, Belize Tourist Board -
On February 14th
1997, Mr. Charles Brown was found guilty of operating as a tour guide
without first obtaining a license in accordance with regulations. Mr. Brown,
operating out of Caye Caulker, was approached on January 22nd by the Tourism
Police while escorting a group of 5 tourists. He did not have a tour guide
license on his person and it was later discovered that he was not a licensed
guide. The Magistrate's Court in Caye Caulker, under section 15 of the
Belize Tourist Board Act, Chapter 232 A of the Laws of Belize, fined Mr.
Brown with $250 payable by March 15th with 2 months in jail if he defaults
on payment.
The Belize Tourist Board (BTB) wishes to advise all tour guides that it is required by law to have a license to guide and to prominently display a laminated copy of this license upon your person. The Tourism Police Unit will continue to ensure that tour guides and tour operators are operating within the guidelines of the law for the safety of Belizeans and all our visitors.
For more information, kindly contact the Belize Tourist Board at (02) 77213.
End of Press ReleaseEditor's Note: It is gratifying that the toruist police are effective in Caye Caulker. There are 30 tourist police in Belize City, 2 in Caye Caulker. Despite promises , San Pedro does not have any tourist police. Tourist police are paid from BTB funds which rely on the 7% hotel tax. San Pedro provides approximately 46% of the hotel tax income for the BTB.
