Mahler Reiterates, Belize Needs a Docking Facility

Anthony Mahler

On the topic of cruise tourism, Mahler readily admits that that sector of the travel and leisure industry is much smaller than overnight arrivals.  However, there is still a need for the development of cruise terminals with docking facilities in Belize.  He frames it in the context of the Definitive Agreement and Cabinet’s role in openly examining the benefits and drawbacks of such proposals.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“Everything comes to Cabinet [and] they’re ventilated.  We looked at the Definitive Agreement, we looked at the draft bill and a lot of these things have to do with timing.  I keep saying that sometimes we don’t operate with a level of urgency in this country. We ventilated the Definitive Agreement, the legislation, and the Cabinet paper in Cabinet, led by the prime minister.  He said, “No, this can’t go forward.”  And we put it on hold, he tore it up in the house, and we’re moving.  Do you all agree that there is a need for a docking facility in Belize, otherwise the numbers will go down.  So when you’re looking at the investment of Port of Magical , you’re looking at Boskalis, you’re looking at Royal Caribbean who have a great level of investments all across the world in terms of ports.  And then you have a group out of England that is the financier or part financier for the project.  So you have serious players at the table and we have to have that discussion with them.  Now it will take some time more, but I believe we will get something worked out for the best interest of the Belizean people.”