The well established magazine publishes what is known as the Pocket World in Figures. It carries various statistics from the mundane to thought-provoking.

Its 2009 edition, which was recently released, reveals that visitors may need to watch their backs in the Jewel because Belize is the world’s murder hotspot, with a rate of thirty-two point seven per one hundred thousand persons. How will this factoid about our nation affect our economy that depends on the tourism arrivals? That’s what News Five posed to B.T.B.’s Director of Product Development, Laura Esquivel.

Laura Esquivel, Director of Product Development

“First of all, I have to say we haven’t seen a copy of the pocketbook so we would like to see that and probably speak to the economist and find out where they got their figures from. But I have to point out if indeed it is true; there are other Caribbean destinations that have held such a position before. For example, Jamaica is one that has gotten the reputation, even if its not so, they have gained the reputation of being a high murder capital in the world and they have done a pretty good job of faring off very well, tourism-wise despite the reputation they have gained.”

Jose Sanchez

“So when it comes to crime on tourist, what is the actual statistic?”

Laura Esquivel

“Well in comparison when it comes to other crime in the country, our figures are between one and two percent are actually committed against tourists as opposed to localized crimes here in Belize. So, really we have to say that we’re lucky in that the tourists are not as affected. We’re sorry for everybody who is affected but in terms of tourism, they’ve been pretty much left out of it.”

Jose Sanchez

“So you don’t expect that this, this seems kind of a like damnation from the economist, but you don’t expect it to have an impact on arrivals at least on the word about Belize?”

Laura Esquivel

“I am saying that we need to be more concerned about the global economic downturn in the world. Right now, I think that’s affecting us more than anything else that is being said. That is something that we have to keep focusing on. If it is true of course, we will be touch with our marketing agents and our marketing firms in the U.S. and all our consulates and stuff to make sure the information is put out there and let everybody know that really crime against tourist is minimal and so it should still be a safe destination for them to visit.”

The Belize district carries the highest number of murders for the country.

Esquivel says that the Belize City is not the focal point for overnight or day tourists.