On February 7, 2008 Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s United Democratic Party (UDP) won the general election in Belize.   Yesterday, Hon. Dean Barrow’s newly named 16-member Cabinet, including the appointment of Manuel Heredia Jr. as the New Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, officially took office.

Prior to his appointment, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. was the area representative for Belize Rural South.  He is the former Mayor of San  Pedro from March 1994 to March 1997 and has since been the only United Democratic Party’s candidate to retain his seat in the San  Pedro Town Board election.  Minister Heredia served on the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Producers Cooperative and was chairperson of that Board. In addition, he has been President of the Lions Club in San Pedro, Chairperson of the Fisheries Advisory   Board, and Vice-President of the Belize Fishermen's Cooperative. He has also served on several other boards and advisory councils representing the interests of his community.  His prior experience and work with the public has prepared him for the new task at  hand.

“I look forward to furthering the growth of tourism by expanding economic opportunities for all stakeholders and by building strong  partnerships with the private sector,” comments Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia, Jr.