APAMO proposes biodiversity/conservation to Tourism Industry

The tourism industry is facing a challenge due to the financial crisis in the U.S. from where most air and cruise tourists originate. And to bolster Belize as a unique destination and Mother’s Nature’s best Kept Secret, the Ministry of Tourism today received assessments and recommendations to keep the integrity of natural resources and at the same time increase revenues. Proposed by the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, the measures include a plan of action for the inclusion of biodiversity and conservation. According to chairman of APAMO, Edilberto Romero, it is important to integrate policies of sustainable development and conservation of our resources.

Edilberto Romero, Chairman APAMO
“We know that our natural resources and protected areas managed form the raw material, the base for the product of the tourism industries and the other industries such as agriculture and fisheries. We also realize that tourism can do a lot of harm to our natural resources if not managed properly. However, if managed properly, tourism can contribute to the sustainable development and the management of our natural resources and protected areas. It is with this in mind that APAMO partnered with Counterpart International in assessing the tourism policies of Belize and to consult with all relevant stakeholders to come up with an action plan to ensure that our national tourism integrates the conservation of our natural resources.”

The proposals were received by the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia, and will hopefully build linkages of conservation and tourism within Civil Society, the Public and Private Sectors.