Belize Tourism Board
64 Regent Street
Belize City, Belize
Tel.: 227-2420, Fax: 227-2423, E-mail: btbb@btl.net
For Immediate Release
Re: Proposal to de-reserve southwestern portion of Bacalar Chico National Park
Belize City, Belize –October 30th, 2007 – The Belize Tourism Board states for the record its position on the proposed de-reservation of some 2,700 acres in the south-western portion of the Bacalar Chico National Park located in North Ambergris Caye.
Belize’s marine and terrestrial resources provide the foundation for a sustainable tourism industry that yielded some $505.7 million in tourism expenditure in 2006. For the past 10 years, this industry has also generated 1 in every 4 jobs and has contributed significantly to the Belizean economy, both directly and indirectly. Tourism is the primary catalyst for foreign direct investments.
The Belize Tourism Board recognizes that the Bacalar Chico National Park is integral for the preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef System and its marine and wildlife habitats. Just this week, the World Heritage Alliance accepted the Belize Tourism Board’s application to become an Associate Partner as a direct result of the Board’s continued commitment to sustainable tourism practices. As an Associate Partner, the Belize Tourism Board subscribes to the mission of promoting sustainable tourism and conservation of World Heritage sites by engaging local communities, the traveling public and the industry at large.
In December 2003, the Ministry of Tourism, with the full support of the Belize Tourism Board, and in conjunction with the Ministries of Natural Resources and the Environment and Agriculture and Fisheries commissioned the National Protected Areas Policy & Systems Plan. In the National Protected Areas Policy Systems Plan, endorsed by Cabinet in January, 2006, it was recommended that a formal and legally recognized process be established for the reservation and de-reservation of protected areas. The Belize Tourism Board cannot support the de-reserving of any protected areas without the benefit of research and consultation with all relevant national and international stakeholders. To do so would jeopardize Belize’s status as an internationally recognized, leading ecotourism destination.
The sustainable use and preservation of our natural and cultural assets are enshrined in the Revised Tourism Policy of 2005, which was also endorsed by the Government of Belize in August of 2005. We urge the Government to review this proposal carefully since their decision will have great international and local implications that can seriously hinder the further development of the tourism industry in Belize.
The BTB stands ready to participate in any consultation process that will aid the better management and protection of Belize’s natural and cultural resources.
For more information please feel free to contact the Director of Tourism.
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