Mundo Maya plans presented
It was launched with great fanfare several years ago and seemed like the perfect marketing strategy for Belize, but the Mundo Maya concept somehow just never caught on. This despite the fact that Belize is currently the site of the Regional Secretariat. But not to be defeated by past inaction, a group of people from both the tourism industry and the Ministry of Tourism have been working hard to revive the enthusiasm of Mundo Maya. Today they presented their plan of action to Minister Mark Espat. As well as calling for more participation in the Central American program, the committee wants Belize to have an active Mundo Maya administrative body right here. They are recommending that an advisory board be formed and that an administrator be appointed to help Belize promote its archaeological sites and living Maya culture. The plan seeks to include Mundo Maya in all marketing efforts for Belize, develop the Belize chapter, use Mundo Maya to improve the tourism product and create business opportunities, increase land arrivals and to establish a fair playing field with other Mundo Maya countries. Minister Espat agreed that Belize has a lot to gain from Mundo Maya and says he will try to assist the committee with their recommendations which he finds to be very thorough.
Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism
“I see that it is a plan that is focussed and that assigns responsibilities to specific agencies and specific departments and specific individuals. That I think is encouraging because in the past we have all bought into the Mundo Maya concept. But how to take advantage of it has been a challenge that I think Belize has not been able to meet as yet. I am hoping with this document that that can change.”
The committee says the advisory committee will have to make periodic reports on the progress of the Mundo Maya plan to ensure that action is taken. In discussions following the presentation this afternoon, members of the tourism industry expressed concern that Belize has not benefited from Mundo Maya in the way other countries have. It was felt that some of our neighbors have capitalized on Belize’s natural wonders and archaeological heritage in their advertising and tourist packages while Belizean operators have been left behind. The need for a public awareness campaign was emphasized since some tour operators see Mundo Maya as a threat rather than a potential money making opportunity. Mexico was cited as the country which has taken the most advantage of the Mundo Maya concept by rehabilitating many of its archaeological sites in poorer southern districts and making infrastructural improvements which benefit local people as well as tourists. Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize are all members of the Mundo Maya organization.
