Belizean Authorities Appoint New Tourism Minister

Amid a reshuffling of his administration, Belize´s Premier Said Musa brought down the number of cabinet posts from 16 to 12 and nominated Godfrey Smith as new tourism minister.

A graduate of Law School at the West Indies University and with a master degree in Arts and International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy in Boston, Mr. Smith has had a longstanding record as a successful lawyer since 1994.

In 1998, he served as chief of staff for the Prime Minister and acted as attorney-general from 1999 to 2003. In that same year, he was appointed minister of foreign affairs, defense and national emergency management.

Following the Belizean administration´s overhaul occurred on December 28, Mr. Smith is now minister of foreign affairs, tourism, foreign trade, national emergency management and information.

Godfrey Smith replaces former Tourism Minister Mark Espat, a man who –in Mr. Smith´s own words- helped lay the underpinnings for the development of Belize´s travel industry and played a key role in advancing the economy of the country.