Barrow outlines strong support for tourism …
It’s an industry that is spread over a wide geographic area, enjoys a constituency of relatively affluent and engaged stakeholders and has more or less been on a roll for the last two decades. So when a standing room only crowd gathered this morning to hear Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s take on tourism, it was more to take his measure than in anticipation of any radical change. What they heard is that Belize’s biggest industry has a friend in Belmopan. News Five’s Kendra Griffith reports.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Let me tell you that tourism is the most important star to which we’ve hitched our wagon.”
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
This morning Prime Minister Dean Barrow affirmed his government’s commitment to the tourism industry at B.T.B.’s tenth Annual Industry Presentation and with good reason. As the country’s number one foreign exchange earner, last year that star brought in five hundred and ninety million dollars in revenue, accounting for over eighteen percent of the G.D.P.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“You, the industry stakeholders, have blazed a trail. You have nurtured each and every small aspect of our product in you own personal way. Most admirable way, you have already began to lead the charge for sustainable tourism development. You have made it your mission to retain the unfolding Belizean story as a special brand, a unique mix of culture, history, adventure, comfort, and natural style. We therefore pledge to make our full contribution to the efforts required to secure and improve the industry. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the project to vindicate the enterprising spirit that you’ve already demonstrated and that has so far caused this industry to do so well.”
Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
“I wish to emphasize that making tourism a national priority is not merely rhetoric of my colleagues and I, but rather a firm promise of the government which we hope to achieve in the first five year term.”
Some of what the P.M. and Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia hope to achieve was highlighted in a video presentation and is included in the B.T.B.’s 2008-2009 action plan. But this morning Heredia also outlined a five-point “hundred day outlook,” which lists as its objectives: to develop a sustainable market position, enhance the visitor experience by improving the tourism product, involve local communities in the development of the tourism product, build an inclusive industry, and ensure environmental sustainability.
Manuel Heredia
“This U.D.P. administration recognises that there is a need for more equitable opportunities in the industry, for improvements to the basic infrastructure and more targeted destination marketing and public relations programmes that will help us to diversify the geographic markets we serve.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of regional tourists across our borders through the implementation of a tourist card program and through the improvement of air traffic between Cancun and Belize. These measure will be accompanied by special promotions of Belize to these at hand markets.”
The announcement also came today that the National Tourism Council will be reconvened and that the current tourism tax regime will be re-examined.
But while entrepreneurs are hoping for a reduced tax burden, for government to fulfil its mandate will require funds. They have already increased the B.T.B.’s budget by eight percent, taking it to sixteen million dollars and Prime Minister Barrow says they are also lobbying for long-term financing.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Our government has been fully engaged with the I.D.B. to develop a sustainable tourism plan for the next twenty-five years. This project includes, in addition to a loan facility of thirty million dollars, a master development blueprint for the government and the industry to follow. With all hands on deck, it is estimated by the bank that the whole project can be entirely drawn up and loan funds available by the end of this year.”
And even with the challenges facing the industry as prices skyrocket across the world, local stakeholders are optimistic that working together will make it work out in the end.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Let us then pledge today to work even harder together as we continue to grow tourism on the basis of a mutual, self-reinforcing and indissoluble partnership between the government and stakeholders.”
Tracy Panton, Director of Tourism
“The industry is very resilient. I think there is a new sense of hope, a fresh outlook, certainly a recommitment to growing the industry and I think that at the end of the day we will be able to maintain our market share.”
Manuel Heredia
“I would say it’s ambitious, but it will be realised. There is no doubt about that that those plans can easily be taken if we put the dedication, if we have the right people working behind. And I can say for myself, I’ve put together the best board at B.T.B. I have the best people working right now, full of energy and a government that is willing to support the movement.”
B.T.B.’s new twelve-member board of directors is led by Chairman Gaspar “Gatch” Guerrero. Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
Although the annual increase in overnight arrivals has slowed somewhat in recent years, much of the industry’s growth has been at the high end of the market, resulting in much more robust rise in revenues.
