BELIZE CITY, Mon. July 19, 2021– Reports are that the Belize Tourism Board has removed images of Mayan temples from its website and other online platforms until the battle between the Government of Belize and the Mayan people over their rights to communal lands and the implementation of a CCJ consent order comes to an end.

According to the BTB’s director, Evan Tillett, the decision was made by the Ministry of Tourism and board members to minimize the risk of the government being entangled in yet another legal battle over Mayan property.

Photos and depictions of Mayan temples are a core part of the imagery that defines Belize’s tourism brand. Such iconic images have been used by various companies as a means of advertising Belize’s attractions.

The BTB’s director told 7News that they have decided to “err on the side of caution” and have taken down the images from their website.