ReelDuel
Contributor
Belize City, January 25, 2012
Members attending the annual FCCA (Florida Cruise Companies Association) meeting in Florida this weekend got the clear message present operating conditions in Belize endanger the future of Belizes Cruise Tourism Industry. Operating companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival stated openly that they were fed up with the indecisiveness of this government and its relevant parties to resolve issues such as tendering, crime and marine safety.
Attending the meeting for GOB were, among others, Lindsay Garbutt, the CEO Tourism, and Kevin Gonzalez, BTBs CEO. Some of the most well known personalities in the Industry were there including Mike McFaden, Cruise Tourism renowned specialist. Mention was made of last weeks cancellation of two of Carnivals newest and largest ships, the MV Valor and MV Glory. Each cancelled ship hits Belizeans in the pocket by some $320,000. Thanks to a Do Nothing government, last week Belizeans lost $640,000 that could have put food on the table for their loved ones.
Ten years ago when the then PUP Government absorbed an abundance of criticism by taking the bold and visionary step of working with the private sector to develop the Belize Tourism Village, Cruise Tourism soared from 43,000 to almost a 1,000,000 tourist coming to our shores to spend and buy our goods and services. Thousands of jobs were created, hundreds of new productive opportunities were invested in. Belize was on the move with its many attractions and loving people to become the crown jewel in the Cruise Tourism Industry. Since then, the PUP advanced the agenda every year to keep the companies involved interested in growing Belize as a destination.
The next step was to build a facility to dock the ships providing more safety and security for the Cruise Tourist and their hosts. Since the Government changed absolutely nothing new has happened, as a matter of fact when we hear on the news about this industry it is because someone was robbed, arrested or there is utter chaos in some corner of a now misgoverned industry.
If the Valor and Glory (4,500 passengers) find our facilities lacking, how will we attract the Oasis class (5,000 passengers plus) or worst the upcoming Genesis class (6,000 passengers plus)? These new ships along with the competitiveness of the industry demand constant attention and innovation. The plans and financing are available to solve the docking and safety problems, and reduce crime significantly.
This Government must understand, as the Companies said at the FCCA meeting last weekend if there is not a precise date for the execution of the required plan to solve their problems, Belize will be off their charts! Thousands more Belizeans will be left destitute without a means to make a living!!
Members attending the annual FCCA (Florida Cruise Companies Association) meeting in Florida this weekend got the clear message present operating conditions in Belize endanger the future of Belizes Cruise Tourism Industry. Operating companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival stated openly that they were fed up with the indecisiveness of this government and its relevant parties to resolve issues such as tendering, crime and marine safety.
Attending the meeting for GOB were, among others, Lindsay Garbutt, the CEO Tourism, and Kevin Gonzalez, BTBs CEO. Some of the most well known personalities in the Industry were there including Mike McFaden, Cruise Tourism renowned specialist. Mention was made of last weeks cancellation of two of Carnivals newest and largest ships, the MV Valor and MV Glory. Each cancelled ship hits Belizeans in the pocket by some $320,000. Thanks to a Do Nothing government, last week Belizeans lost $640,000 that could have put food on the table for their loved ones.
Ten years ago when the then PUP Government absorbed an abundance of criticism by taking the bold and visionary step of working with the private sector to develop the Belize Tourism Village, Cruise Tourism soared from 43,000 to almost a 1,000,000 tourist coming to our shores to spend and buy our goods and services. Thousands of jobs were created, hundreds of new productive opportunities were invested in. Belize was on the move with its many attractions and loving people to become the crown jewel in the Cruise Tourism Industry. Since then, the PUP advanced the agenda every year to keep the companies involved interested in growing Belize as a destination.
The next step was to build a facility to dock the ships providing more safety and security for the Cruise Tourist and their hosts. Since the Government changed absolutely nothing new has happened, as a matter of fact when we hear on the news about this industry it is because someone was robbed, arrested or there is utter chaos in some corner of a now misgoverned industry.
If the Valor and Glory (4,500 passengers) find our facilities lacking, how will we attract the Oasis class (5,000 passengers plus) or worst the upcoming Genesis class (6,000 passengers plus)? These new ships along with the competitiveness of the industry demand constant attention and innovation. The plans and financing are available to solve the docking and safety problems, and reduce crime significantly.
This Government must understand, as the Companies said at the FCCA meeting last weekend if there is not a precise date for the execution of the required plan to solve their problems, Belize will be off their charts! Thousands more Belizeans will be left destitute without a means to make a living!!
