Prime Minister heading to U.S. to resolve Carnival’s Cruise Tourism crisis

Myron Marin

Tour operators are banking that a full blown crisis in cruise tourism may be averted when a delegation of tourism representatives, including the Prime Minister, meets with representatives of Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami this weekend. The operators attended a special meeting late this evening with Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Jr. along with officials from the Belize Tourism Board to formally address what is seen as a threat to the cruise tourism industry.  Over the past three days much has been said about an exclusive tendering contract that would see one foreign operator commanding majority of the jobs to transport visitors to and from the cruise ships. This morning Prime Minister Dean Barrow said on the airwaves that local tender operator, Tino Castillo, would be receiving the contract to transport tourists off the cruise ships.  News Five spoke with Castillo prior to the meeting and he told us that he has formally declined that offer.  In speaking with us following the meeting, tender owner Myron Marin, stated they are now awaiting the outcome of the sit-down to be held in Miami on Friday.  Until then it is business as usual on Thursday.

Myron Marin, Tender Owner, Three Star Tours

“We went up there and we just stated our point noh, on where we stand trying to get some answers, [uhm] some clarity to what’s going on.  As far as we are concerned they are going to look into the issue, they are going to have a meeting with the representatives of the cruise lines [on] Friday.  Accompanying them would be the prime minister that is very interested in trying to resolve this problem.  From there, you know, we will decide our move but as far as we’re concerned we’re right here right now giving them the respect noh to represent us abroad.  From there we will see what’s going to happen.  Until then, you know, we’re here waiting for them noh to see what is going to happen.”

Isani Cayetano

“What happens tomorrow morning.  I know that you guys usually are out there in the mornings tendering passengers off the cruise ships.  What happens tomorrow?”

Myron Marin

“Well for right now come tomorrow it’s going to be work as usual and like I said they’re going to represent us Friday and will bring back good news, you know, we hope.  But until then, you know, we’re here and it’s in their hands now.”

Isani Cayetano

“In the prime minister’s appearance in the media this morning he mentioned one Tino Castillo who would have received the contract to do the ferrying of passengers off the cruise ships.  Can you speak to us your knowledge of either his involvement in this whole thing or the fact that he has now declined that particular contract?”

Myron Marin

“Well like I said Friday they’re going to go abroad to get some kind of answers from these other cruise lines.  Until then what’s fact and what’s not I don’t know so we’re going to put it, like I said again noh, in their hands and from there we’re going to get exactly what’s happening.”