Signing of Norwegian Cruise Line imminent
Godwin Hulse
Is government about to strike a deal with Norwegian Cruise Lines for a multi-million dollar development project at Harvest Caye? All indications are that it will even though government has been tight-lipped about the negotiations on the N.C.L. tourism project. N.C.L. is interested in developing a massive port of call on Harvest Caye in southern Belize which has resulted in a storm of protest from the communities in the south as well as environmental groups because a Master Sustainable Tourism Plan rejects mass tourism in favor of pocket tourism. In the past two weeks, a draft Memorandum of Understanding between G.O.B. and N.C.L. came to light, but there was no official verification, or even comment. Today we got one from the man who heads the Cabinet sub-committee appointed to explore the feasibility of the project. Godwin Hulse would not go into details, but he did tell News Five enough to indicate that the signing of an M.O.U. is imminent and so is an announcement.
Godwin Hulse, Head, Cabinet Sub-committee
“The government of Belize has looked at the project in depth and it was a little unfortunate and don’t cut this out; it is unfortunate that there was lots of reports saying that this is happening and it trumps up a lot of hysteria and remember what this is called negotiation. When you come into Belize and being the business that I have been forever, if I can get fifty or a hundred years concession I will ask for two. We work down, we work down, we work down until we get there; but the whole idea we have said there had to be some standards by which we hold these investments. And the standards where that one, the project will be socially and economically acceptable and legally doable, So, the technical people have looked at that. Two, it had to bring revenue to government and there is no shame in that, government has to make revenue because there is cost. You can’t be neutral we have to make at least a dollar and two it has to bring foreign exchange because that is what we live by. And three, it has to create meaningful jobs and we have negotiated with them what are meaningful jobs. We don’t mean three dollars an hour job we listed to them what are meaningful jobs. And then it has to protect the environment and if necessary, if possible enhance it. And so we are satisfied that these criteria have been met. Remember this is a M.O.U. it is a non-legal, non-binding, it says if you meet these conditions government will be prepared to do this. That’s all it says.”
Harvest Caye surfaced as an alternative to Crawl Caye where NCL had first proposed the multimillion dollar tourism investment. But government rejected that proposal because Crawl Caye is located within a World Heritage Site.
This politician are selling the country out. Put this couple of million in the pocket and approve the plan you idiot!! Yes sir….
People of Placencia and surrounding areas should really start a riot…..
Good news!! I am really excited about this venture. Finally world class exotic locations in Belize. To the world I say: BELIZE IT!
The people of Belize will start a riot and then go home for lunch.
After lunch it is time for a nap.
When they wake up from the nap they have forgotten all about the riot and go to the chinee man to buy a fry chicken and a stout.
Meanwhile life continues to be great for all the corrupt politicians in Belize.
Belly full of lobster & scotch, Miami bank account full of US $$$$$, a new Prado every year, and a mistress in every town.
Ya mon good for the country to increase tourism. But a project closa to the center of the country will help all parts of the country to be seen and experienced..off belize city makes a much wiser distribution hub that would spider web to all parts of the country..please imply the strictist of standards and rules on NCL…..the ball is belize hands ncl hasnt stop trying to find a caye to dock at after being told no on numerous other locations..they want in belize badly..its time dat some big man step up in belize and pree di dollar sign from this project and feed and cloth di belizian youth…
The politician need to start consult with the citizen of Belize, before make any decision that will impact our country . these politician behave like crack heads giving incentive to foreigner while oppress it citizen . when will the citizen of Belize will be respected? they aren’t making decisions in the interest of the citizen of Belize . I completely reject any signing of any contract With Norwegian Cruise line
Once again our banana republic politician are selling us out! To Hell with the Master Plan, to Hell with the voice of the Tourism Industry, and to Hell with the people who have to live with a bunch of low class, no money type tourists stomping all over the peninsula and releaving themselves on our reef! This is just plain and simple ignorant greed by a bunch of simple minded politicians!
To Belizean I say, please do your homework! The Belizean tourism product IS world class! Dumping a bunch of cheap-ass cruise ship tourists on our very successful product will just devalue the the entire experience for our overnight visitors and stress the environment even more. Not to mention the millions upon millions of dollars of investment that will be gambled. Get your facts straight!
Cruise ships will destroy the charm of southern Belize. Over night visitors such as myself will return again and again to experience the friendly, slow pace of Toledo and Placencia Village. Cruise ships will not help the tourist industry in Belize, but will harm it, perhaps beyond repair. PLEASE. Do not allow cruise ships in southern Belize.