BTB mediates cruise controversy
The problem was one of miscommunication between the management of the Belize Tourism Village and a couple of stakeholders that service the Carnival Cruise Line. That was the sentiment of Tourism Director Tracy Taegar, following a meeting she held with tourism village czar Michael Feinstein, Mike and Martha Williams of Eurocaribe and Michael Garbutt of Belitur. The Belize Tourism Board called the meeting in response to Friday’s problem at the village where both Eurocaribe and Belitur claim that they were ousted from the premises by Feinstein and forced to disembark passengers at the Radisson. Taegar says BELITUR, which is owned by Novelo’s Bus Company, had an issue concerning another tour operator, which recently started doing business in the same area of the village. Taegar says Garbutt did not like the situation and said certain things that upset the village’s management, and that is why Belitur was put out of the village. However, Taegar says both parties have agreed to work things out and it is understood that the two operators will continue to work in the village but in separate locations. As for Eurocaribe, which is both the shipping agent for Carnival Cruise Lines and also offers tender service for cruise ships, Taegar says that matter has also been addressed.
Tracy Taegar, Director, Belize Tourism Board
“It really had to do with the servicing of tender operations out of the village. There was some confusion on the sea worthiness so to speak, of some of the tenders that are being used by Maritime Estates really, who provides the service for Eurocaribe for the tendering services. And I think we are able to find or try to mediate in such a way that there are some resolutions for tomorrow’s ship.
But it’s also B.T.B.’s mandate to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from the cruise ship sector, whether they’re taxi drivers, tour operators, water taxi operators. That’s really the spirit of the agreement, and all these components need to work together if the village is going to be successful. I think the management of BTB understands that they need all players to be working together, and clearly today said that they would work to that end, that we can really concentrate on growing the industry instead of trying to hackle over things that can be solved in a conference room.”
Taegar says she remains optimistic that in the interest of tourism, all parties concerned will try to work together so the problem does not recur. On Tuesday, another Carnival ship is scheduled to arrive in the country. This time, however, the passengers will hopefully be disembarking at the village.
