Belize hosts eco-tourism conclave

Tourism officials and industry representatives from Central America are meeting in Belize this week as part of the regional meeting for the International Year of Eco-tourism, which has been slated for 2002. The delegates will be discussing a wide range of topics that include eco-tourism planning in protected areas and community involvement in eco-tourism ventures. On a local angle, non-governmental organisations are advising Belizean entrepreneurs that while conservation can do positive things for the environment, it’s a good idea to keep a business head.

Joy Grant, Executive Dir., P.F.B.

“The eco-tourism venture is, apart from bringing in the community, no different from a tourism venture that we have to do all our plans, and we have to make sure that we have a product that people will enjoy and want to return to. I also felt it was important that as we look at climate change issues and the number and severity of the storms that we’re getting, and what happened in New York also, that we start to be a little bit more disciplined in our business approaches, that we make sure we put aside money that will help us when we are faced with a decrease in the number of visitors that come to our shores.”

The meeting ends on Wednesday. The conference has the support of the United Nations Environment Program and the International Eco-tourism Society.