Belize Names Lindsay Garbutt New Tourism CEO

Belize named Lindsay Garbutt as chief executive officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture in a ceremony held Monday at the Belize City House of Culture. Garbutt previously served as chairman of the Belize Tourist Board (BTB), and brings more than 10 years of experience working with local organizations and community groups on tourism and sustainability issues, said Manuel Heredia, Belize’s Minister of Tourism.

Garbutt will assume his new post on Jan. 1, replacing current CEO Mike Singh, who will assist Garbutt during the transition. Mariam Roberson, the owner and managing director of the San Ignacio Hotel, will replace Garbutt as BTB chairperson. Roberson, a veteran of the tourism industry, has served on BTB’s board of directors since 2008. BTB will launch a new two-year tourism master plan in 2011, according to Seleni Matus, BTB’s director.