Page 5
6th of March , 2011
Tourism Crisis! BTB axed two more!!!
Continued from page 1 short circuited a growing condominium industry. Neither has recovered to anywhere near pre-2008 levels. In August 2008 the BTB announced a re-branding exercise that entailed dropping its former long time marketing company Richartz, Fliss, Clarke and Pope for BVK. In November 2008 the Ministry of Tourism announced the implementation of a $30 million tourism master plan. By December a scandal involving a secret deal between NICH and a local businessman regarding the Jaguar Paw cave tubing site would rock the industry. By mid 2009 it was apparent the industry had just suffered its worst ever tourism high season. One casualty is longtime BTB director Tracy Panton whose contract renewal is declined. In February 2010 Seleni Matus is
announced as the new BTB director and in April 2010 at her introduction she immediately announces a new “game change” plan. In May the BTB re-announces the Ministry of Tourism’s $30 million tourism master plan. In August it is learned that Carnival has given exclusive touring rights to its passengers to a US/Jamaican outfit named Chukka who buys a local subsidiary. The outcry spurs the formation and development of FECTAB. By November a new Tourism CEO is named: Lindsay Garbutt replaces Mike Singh, with Miriam Robertson replacing Garbutt as Chairman of the Board of Directors of BTB. Early in the new year the industry holds its breath as a showdown between Carnival Cruise Line and Belize’s tender operators provoke the cancellations of some port calls by the cruise giant. The situation is
Public outrage forces Game Meat measure to be waived this weekend March
03,
2011 to enforce the portion of the Wild-
This week the forestry Department sent out press release announcing and notifying people that the sale of game meat at public events, such as the upcoming La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge will be considered illegal without the necessary permits to do so. This caused an uproar in public opinion especially because many families in rural communities hunt for game meat to provide food on the table for their loved ones or to supplement their income by selling off any excess of meat that must be sold especially because there are still many Belizeans who could not afford a refrigerator. Many Belizeans express their outrage at the new measure that forced officials to consider a waiver. The Ministry of Natural Resources today issued a statement saying it has approved a waiver of all game dealer license fees for this weekend. Previously Residents of rural communities vehemently protested the decision
life Protection Act at this time, especially when it meant they would have to come up with the one hundred dollars to pay for the permit at such short notice. According to today’s press release, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega, following consultations, has decided to waive the game dealer license fees for the period March fourth to the seventh. The official release says that notwithstanding the waiver of the fees, the forest department will continue to monitor and enforce the laws consistent with its legislative mandate under the wildlife protection regulations. The release says that the reason for the increased vigilance of the Forest Department is because the recent impact of Hurricane Richard included the severe destruction of wildlife habitat. The sustained effort by the forest department is intended to ensure the continued protection and preservation of the wildlife for the benefit of all Belizeans
still ongoing. A month ago Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia dismisses UDP stalwart and long time BTB director and former chairman Santiago “Santi” Castillo from the Board, along with Stanley Longsworth, Jr. He has yet to name any replacements. Reportedly to date all those who have been approached have
spurned the appointments. An entire industry is now very much at sea. The structure that propelled the industry to the top of Belize’s economic ladder in the 10 years of the PUP is being dismantled piece by piece, and Belize’s economy is once again being threatened by the incompetence and corruption of the Barrow administration.
KREMANDALA $ELLOUT Bought and paid for... Silent on issues affecting black South-side Belizeans while pretending to be their guardian Wilfully ignores the Corrupt Practices of Barrow and the UDP
Can’t be TRUSTED!!! “X” CAN’T CRITICIZE BARROW & THE UDP A PAID AD