Daily San Pedro Belize Weather Forecast Feb 8th
IR Satellite Photo
Feb 8th 10
General Situation: Easterly airflow prevailing. 24hr Forecast: Sunny with a few cloudy spells today and partially cloudy tonight. Showers will be isolated. Winds: Easterly at 10 to 20 knots. Sea State: Choppy – Moderate. Outlook: Through Wednesday, fair and mostly dry weather with an increase in cloudiness and showers on Tuesday afternoon as a cold front approaches. Highs: 29°C/85°F – Lows: 24°C/74°F
Feb 8th 10
Kelly McGuire concert in San Pedro Belize
Feb 8th 10
San Pedro Mayor and Liquor License Board under scrutiny
Letter to Big Daddy's
In the January 14th, 2010 issue of The San Pedro Sun, the composition of the new Liquor License Board was made public. At the helm of the Liquor License Board is Councilor Pablo Ico. Other members include Ramon Calderon, Severito Guerrero Jr., George Paz, Roberto Canul and a representative from the Police, Health and Fire Departments along with ex-officio member Mayor Elsa Paz. But, for the past couple weeks, there has been trouble brewing within the Board.
The problems stem from a range of issues including the composition of the board, businesses allowed to operate without a liquor license, allegations of interference by the Mayor within the Liquor License Board and even accusations against the Police Department for non-enforcement of the Liquor License laws.
To start, five of the nine board members are nominated by the Town Council. The Mayor automatically sits on any board that falls under the auspices of the council, including the Liquor License Board. According to at least three board members, not all members within the board are not in agreement with its composition. One of the members not in agreement is Chairman of the Liquor Board Councilor Pablo Ico. (Continue Reading)
Feb 8th 10
10 Belizean chefs successfully completed culinary training program
OAS
The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) continue their commitment to the upgrading of the tourism product in Belize. Under the three year OAS/BTB Capacity Building: Tourism Training and Certification Project, 10 Belizeans will today move one step closer to becoming the first home-grown professional Chefs. The 10 graduates have successfully completed the course work and exam leading to the designation of Certified Culinarians from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
The program, which is geared towards enhancing the quality of service within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has zeroed in on the culinary sector for special attention. The goal is to build the critical link between the agricultural and tourism sectors, while infusing the different elements of Belize’s culture into its culinary offerings.
A total of eighteen participants from various tourism establishments across the country began the program in September of 2009, under the tutelage of Volunteer Advisor Chef Pierre Brisebois from the Canadian Executive Service Overseas (CESO). The 10 participants who have been certified by the CIA sat a 4 day theory and practical examination, administered by the CIA here in Belize.
The graduates are now enrolled in the Chef de Cuisine Program for the next nine months, after which they will travel to the Culinary Institute in New York to seek final certification as Chefs. The certification program is the first of its kind in Belize. The sponsors hope that the program could be institutionalized within Belize in the near future. Belize joins Jamaica as the only other country in the region offering this CIA certification.
As a part of the ceremony, a special lunch will be prepared to showcase the talent of the graduates. Guests of honor include the Prime Minister of Belize the Hon. Dean Barrow and Mrs. Barrow, as well as the Minister of Tourism Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr.
The program is being funded by the OAS Special Multilateral Fund (FEMCIDI) in collaboration with the BTB.
Feb 8th 10
The BTB offers seminar with Dive Training Magazine
Dive Training Magazine
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to announce its continued partnership with Dive Training Magazine, the education-based magazine for new divers, divers in all levels of training, their instructors and those who own and operate dive centers. In an effort to strengthen its relationship with the dive publication and add value to the dive sector in Belize, the BTB in partnership with Dive Training Magazine, are planning an educational seminar in August for our Belize dive industry partners.
The educational seminar will feature renowned Marine Science Instructor and Professor Dr. Alex Brylske, Marine Science Instructor who has nearly 30 years of extensive experience in dive training, marine science instruction, and program development at professional dive schools and marine organizations.
In addition to his tenure at Dive Training, Alex has worked with a number of government and non-governmental organizations dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnerships. Alex holds an MA in instructional systems design, a dual MS in marine biology and coastal zone management, and a Ph.D. in marine science education from the Florida Institute of Technology.
The BTB wants to make this seminar a relevant one for you and as such hereby invites your comments for submission on any topics to be considered as part of the marine educational seminar with Dr. Brylske. Please let us know any areas of interest you may have which you would like addressed at this forum. We would appreciate receiving your responses by February 26, 2010.
Please feel free to contact Lorena Martinez, Marketing Officer by email at lorena@travelbelize.org with your suggestions. We look forward to your feedback as we plan and organize this exciting event!
Feb 8th 10
Belize faces prospect of G20 sanctions over tax information
Belize could be hit with economic sanctions by G20 nations for failing to abide by international tax information sharing protocols. The move could prove uncomfortable to Lord Ashcroft, the Conservative party’s largest donor, who is also chairman of the tiny Central American country’s biggest bank.
A senior Whitehall source told The Observer that discussions at this month’s G20 finance ministers meeting in South Korea would include the strong likelihood of the introduction of sanctions on countries which have not abided by an initiative from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to force tax havens to sign information-sharing agreements.
All countries are required to sign 12 international tax information-sharing agreements. Belize has only agreed one with Belgium, signed late last year. Other countries that could face sanctions include Panama, Guatemala and the Philippines, although Jeffrey Owens, the director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, last month suggested that, unlike Belize, “they were actively in the process of negotiating”. (Continue Reading)
Feb 6th 10
Daily San Pedro Belize Weather Forecast Feb 6th
IR Satellite Photo
General Situation: High Pressure influence will dominate our weather in the wake of a weak cold front over the Caribbean. 24hr Forecast: Sunny with a few cloudy spells today and cloudy at times tonight. A few showers will occur mainly over the sea. Winds: North to Northwest at 10 to 20 knots. Sea State: Choppy – Moderate. Outlook: Through Monday, variably cool and cloudy weather to prevail with little to no rainfall. Highs: 27°C/80°F – Lows: 20°C/68°F
Feb 6th 10
Scuba Diving with Nurse Sharks in Belize
