Posted: January 19, 2016. 4:45 p.m. CST.
By BMG Staff: The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) issued a statement yesterday regarding the death of murdered tourist Anne Swaney, offering condolences and trying to do damage control, however, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory in the wake of the incident.
“Following the murder of a woman from Chicago last week, the U.S. State Department advises visitors to be cautious and alert while visiting Belize After American Anne Swaney, 39, was found strangled last Friday morning,” the advisory reads.
The advisory also notes that Belize has one of the highest murder rates in the world and a very high crime rate, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
“We encourage U.S. citizens to exercise caution and good situation awareness in all their travel activities. Visitors should travel in groups and only during daylight hours. Avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuable or expensive items”, the State Department warns, to minimize the risk of attack and avoid becoming a crime victim.
In its release, the BTB said: “While this is a tragic situation that requires the full attention of the Belize Police Department, violent crime in Belize has seen a double digit reduction in the past year. Over one million people visited Belize last year, and while it is extremely rare for a tourist to fall victim to a violent crime, we will remain committed to the safety and security of all people who visit.”
The BTB went on to say that part of the reason this crime has garnered so much international attention is because violence against tourists is uncommon.
The BTB also said it plans to reach out to stakeholders, government and visitors in the coming weeks to ensure tourists can feel secure while enjoying a relaxing, care-free visit.
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