Vendors present Belizean art, food to ship passengers
Belize City is often bypassed by tourists in favor of the cayes or more exotic destinations inland. But there is a move afoot to get visitors, especially the cruise ship passengers, to linger a while in the old capital, and of course spend some of those Yankee dollars. News Five was at the Memorial Park today where a project designed to help share the wealth got off to a very good start.
Joanne Cohen, Passenger
“I love it; it’s beautiful, really is. We’re thinking possibly about moving down here because we only heard good things about Belize and it’s a very safe place. It’s really very, very laid back; not like Miami.”
The cruise ship passengers might have only been in Belize City a few hours today but that’s how long it took one passenger to fall in love with Belize. It seems the efforts of the Belize Tourism Board, the Cruise Ship Association of Belize and the Belize City Council have paid off… cruise ship passengers were excited about the Tourist Village at its temporary site at Memorial Park.
Steve Kwatkoski, Passenger
“I’m most impressed with what I’m seeing here today, far better than what I saw the last time. First time, there was a lot of trepidation. People felt there could have been a lot of hostilities here. And today the first thing I noticed was a young boy coming by on a bicycle, smiling and saying, “Welcome to Belize!” And I said, “Wow! This is great!” The affair is warming and gives you a chance to see Belize the way you want to see it.”
Before the Tourist Village, passengers got off the boat, into a taxi or bus, went somewhere — usually out-district — came back to the city and immediately got back on the ship. The Cruise Ship Association is trying hard to make Belize City a viable tourist spot.
Fred Hunter, Cruise Ship Association
“Belize City was always neglected and now we’re trying to put Belize City on the map, the city itself as a tourist stop. I think it’s great for the city.”
Janelle Chanona
“Starting today, there will be ten ships making one hundred and eight calls to Belize City, until next year May. Each ship carries about seven hundred passengers. Each passenger is expected to spend in the neighborhood of one hundred to one hundred fifty US dollars. That’s a lot of revenue and there are plenty of businesses hoping to cash in on some of the profits.”
Q: “Tell me why you decided to bring out food today?”
Alicia Espat Sewell, Vendor
“To encourage the tourist to enjoy themselves today as they are here in Belize, and enjoy the Belizean food.”
Q: “So what kind of food you have out here today?”
Alicia Espat Sewell
“Delicious garnaches, fish panades, beans panades and Dario’s meat pies.”
Q: “Did you have anybody come try it yet?”
Alicia Espat Sewell
“Sure, I have a lot of sales, almost finished.”
Q: “How did they react?”
Alicia Espat Sewell
“Oh, they love the garnaches, the panades, the meat pies… they love the food.”
Q: “Do you think this thing will work?”
Steven Craig, Hilltop Farm
“Definitely, it will work. I love it.”
Q: “How are the tourists reacting to your wine?”
Steven Craig
“Good, a lot of good comments. One tourist tell me just now it’s better than what he has.”
Marcia Mahler, City Manager
“We want to share the pie and we want the local artists to be recognized for what they do because they are quite talented.”
Frank Malic, Wood Sculptor
“Got a little competition; have to try hustle a little money and that’s all.”
Q: “And you like the idea that tourists come here?”
Frank Malic
“First time Belize go large like this. Everybody, all artists and so come out and expose their art and try make a living… honest living.”
City Manager Marcia Mahler says they are impressed at the number of businesses which decided to showcase their wares today. As they iron out the first week’s kinks, organizers say next week will be more impressive since there is actually a waiting list for businesses who want to participate. One addition they hope will be at the park next week is an immigration booth since passengers have requested their passports be stamped so that they can boast that they went to Belize.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
And if you’re feeling like you might want to take a cruise yourself, Discovery Expeditions has a package deal on the “Sea Breeze” that gives you three nights aboard ship, all meals and a flight back to Belize from Miami for less than a thousand Belize dollars.
