FECTAB addresses the negative effects of the zoning at tourism village

FECTAB has emerged as perhaps the most vociferous organization in the tourism industry taking on hot button issues in the industry. Not one to be silent, the organization today came out in full solidarity with the traders who earn their living at the Fort Street Tourism Village. The hair braiders, taxi drivers and tour guides say they have not been able to make any money since the introduction of zoning in the village on Wednesday. Because of the new measures, they are now placed far away from the reach thousands of cruise visitors. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Since its introduction earlier this week BTB’s Sustainable Tourism Program which includes the zoning of the Fort Street Tourism Village has been met with negative response from tour guides and vendors operating in the area.  The new system was put in place to organize what had become a chaotic state of affairs within the village during the high season.  While the project was initially lauded as a good plan it is now being heavily criticized by stakeholders within the tourism industry.  Today is only the third day of the implementation of several changes in the Fort George area and the Belize Tourism Board has already come under intense scrutiny.  Hosting a press conference on the effects of those recent changes was the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize.

Yoni Rosado, Cavetubing.com

yoni rosado

“What we have to understand is that the zoning have been mapped, have been designed not by us.  I will ask a question to the vendor did BTB contact you before the zoning?  I will ask a question to the hair braiders did BTB contact you for your honest opinion for the zoning?  And that is the question that I put to the people of Belize, to the city and to all the people involved in cruise tourism.  Belize Tourism Board has met with us one, I believe two times, about the zoning but it’s not for asking us anything.  It’s to tell us what’s going to happen.”

And what has happened, according to FECTAB president Tom Greenwood, is that the scheme is only benefiting the companies inside the Fort Street Tourism Village.  Vendors who offer business outside the gates of the marketplace are once again shut out.

tom greenwood

Tom Greenwood, President, FECTAB

“The BTB has put up a zoning plan.  I see it as an excellent plan.  It’s working except that as brother Yoni said unfortunately it’s working for FSTV.  So open the gates and let my people go!”

Biblical references aside, those feeling the immediate effect of the new zoning system are the many hair braiders who, without the advantage of advertising or pre-booking, are basically left jobless.

ruth smith

Ruth Smith, President, Hair Braiders Association

“We di ya cause we are not making any money.  The area that BTB located us is Mirab parking lot, not even Mirab customers were using his parking lot… And I’ve been to meetings after meetings and it hurts me because these are my co-workers that I work with for like eight to ten years.  Some of them have been out here ten years, more than I have been out here.  The only weather we don’t go to work is when a hurricane is coming and that’s the time we pray that the hurricane doesn’t come so we can go and work.”

As of Monday hair braider Claire Williams has been losing business because of her new location.

Claire Williams, Hair Braider (File: December 9^th, 2010)

“The tourists don’t come off the ship saying I’m going to get my hair braided, I’m going to get my toes painted; I have to convince them to get it done and I am not getting that break to convince them. Every time when I try the police tell me I gotta step back.”

Ruth Smith

“They always want to put the hair braiders at the back like we are not being recognized.  You know, and we will not stand for that, that’s why I’m here today.”

Among those also affected are the taxi drivers who line the exterior of the village.  With the new changes in place they are being advised to work closer with each other.

FECTAB Member

“Some of you people need to learn to discipline yourselves.  I know that some of you have cops that are friends, that are your friends and would bad mind each other and you guys need to do better than that.  You’re all out there for one purpose and please don’t try to undermine the purpose of your presence.  You are there to make some money.  You are not there to stop another brother from making money.  Mek wi laan fi live together.”

The resounding message nonetheless was summarized in a few short sentences.

FECTAB Member

“BTB should have done the appropriate screening before this zoning is being implemented.  They should have studied how this will affect all the players negatively.  First of all they failed to realize that the zoning will never be effective if tour operators don’t cooperate.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.