GOVERNMENT APPROVES MEGA CRUISE PORT AT HARVEST CAYE;
PLACENCIA VOWS TO FIGHT! It has been in the works for months but on August 2, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Line which allows NCL to establish a cruise port at Harvest Caye, a 70-acre island just three miles south of Placencia Village. Local and national opposition to the US$50 million project has been building steadily and is based on clear evidence that the introduction of such mass tourism to southern Belize would have far more costs than benefits.
The Case Against Mass Cruise Tourism in Southern Belize The campaign by private interests closely tied to the government of Belize to introduce cruise ships to southern Belize dates back to 2010. At that time a proposal by investors tied to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to establish Placencia as port of call was successfully rebuffed by area residents. Two years later a new version of the same proposal, this time allegedly more “Placencia friendly” was floated to a group of tour guides but was never introduced or debated publicly. In early 2013 a much larger proposal was made to the government by Norwegian Cruise Line. This project, backed by the same official who pushed the first two, called for NCL to purchase Crawl Caye, an island off the Belize coast where its largest ships could dock and passengers frolic on the beach as well as embark for tours on land and sea. NCL’s total investment was said to be in the range of US$50 million and the cruise line heralded the investment on one that would bring jobs and prosperity to an economically depressed area of the country and significant revenues to a cash strapped government. While cabinet, under pressure from environmentalists, turned down the proposal for Crawl Caye on the grounds that it was in a marine reserve that formed part of a World Heritage Site, it endorsed the project if a more suitable location could be found. Immediately NCL announced plans to purchase Harvest Caye, a 70 acre island less than 3 miles south of Placencia Village just off the mainland. Following cursory study by a cabinet subcommittee (half of whose ministerial members never showed up for meetings) cabinet agreed to a non-binding memorandum of understanding with NCL that granted the company unprecedented fiscal incentives and tax breaks. Details of a formal agreement are being drafted while NCL refines plans for its purchase of the island, its dredging and filling as well as construction of its berthing and recreational facilities. It plans to have Harvest Caye ready for action by the 2015/2016 cruise season. The authors of this document, a broad coalition of tourism and environmental groups from around the country, believe that the introduction of mass cruise tourism—or any type of mass tourism—to southern Belize represents nothing less than an invitation to disaster. Please see more on “The Case Against Mass Cruise Tourism in Southern Belize” on page 3.
Placencia Lobsterfest 2013, Major Success! The Placencia Lobsterfest held on June 28, 29 and 30 was another huge hit this year. Having won the Belize Tourism Board’s “Festival of the Year” Award in March, many attended with high expectations and quickly realized their travels to the Peninsula was worth the effort. Both organizers, the Placencia Village Council and the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, successfully raised much needed funds for their vital operations on the Peninsula. The many vendors including those selling food and arts and crafts, as well as nonprofit organizations reported great sales. Why such a mega success this year? In addition to another excellent layout at the site, organizers stepped up the entertainment lineup in 2013. Friday afternoon allowed visitors to begin their food sampling and socializing while at the south end of the village, different teams competing in the Southern Environmental Association Lionfish Tournament brought in their catch at the new municipal pier. Later that night everyone came together under the main tent to see the Gilharry 7 take the stage and start Please see Placencia Lobsterfest on page 23.
MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY