A brewing controversy in Belize’s tourism sector has put issues of racial intolerance and industry professional standards under the spotlight, after a licensed local tour guide made a racist comment targeting Olivia Yacé, Miss Universe Ivory Coast, during her official visit to the Central American nation.
Yacé was in Belize partnering on collaborative projects with Isabella Zabaneh, the country’s own Miss Universe representative, when the pair shared a public photo of their time together online. It was this post that drew the offensive remark from Alexander Mes, a licensed Belizean tour guide, who published the comment on the public platform.
Within days of the comment coming to light, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) issued an official public statement condemning the incident, labeling the remark as deeply unprofessional and highly inappropriate for anyone representing the country’s tourism industry. The regulatory body confirmed that the national Tour Guide Committee has formally launched a full disciplinary review into the incident, which will assess the scope of the violation and determine what formal sanctions are appropriate for Mes.
Zabaneh, who has hosted Yacé during her visit, publicly shared her disappointment over the incident. She emphasized that the comment was particularly jarring coming from a tour guide, a role explicitly centered on welcoming visitors from around the world and fostering positive cross-cultural connections.
For her part, Yacé has responded to the incident with a message of resilience, urging young women who face similar online negativity to maintain a positive outlook. She also made clear that the isolated comment would not overshadow her experience in the country, noting that her overall warm impression of Belize and its people remains unchanged.
Mes issued a formal public apology for his comment on Monday, but public backlash across social media and local communities has not subsided. In the wake of the controversy, BTB has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding strict professional standards across the country’s tourism workforce, stressing that all licensed Belizean tour guides act as representatives of the nation to international visitors. As such, the board says, all guides are required to uphold fundamental standards of respect, inclusivity and professionalism for every guest, regardless of race, nationality or background.
The disciplinary review remains ongoing as the committee weighs potential outcomes, ranging from fines to suspension or revocation of Mes’ tour guide license, depending on the findings of the investigation.