| Belize Tourism Board Presents Action Plan for Shared Stewardship of Belize's Natural Heritage. |
SC Admin |
05/14/2008
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Travel & Tourism
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$50,000 to develop marine sites
Belmopan - May 14, 2008 -- The Belize Tourism Board in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and
Civil Aviation presented an Action Plan for the shared Stewardship of
Belize’s Natural Heritage at a launching done at the Radisson Fort
George Hotel yesterday in Belize City.
The presentation of the Action Plan was to identify a set of cruise
visitors’ issues that were the most urgent and to present
recommendations which would be addressed in a short-term period. The
Action Plan would also put implement several immediate conservation
projects to stimulate the shared stewardship of Belize as a cruise
destination and also the presentation demonstrates the willingness and
commitment of international cruise industry to work with local partners
to ensure the long-term protection of the country’s natural heritage.
The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Manuel Heredia gave
the keynote address where he thanked the local and international
partners who assisted in the action plan and he also pledged the
commitment of the Government of Belize to assist in the implementation.
He also stated that the Government had appropriated approximately
$50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) for the development of marine sites.
The recommendations include: (i) Develop and enact a national mooring
buoy policy and programme, (ii) Establish limits of acceptable change
for high-priority marine recreation sites, (iii) Establish zoning and
regulations for highly-visited marine recreation areas, (iv) Develop
and implement a tourism plan for Belize City as part of the broader
National Tourism Master Plan, (v) Establish a handicraft market for
local vendors, (vi) Restore historic buildings, (vii) Revive the
Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute or similar lead agency
and (viii) Implement an environment awareness campaign targeted to
cruise ship visitors.
The recommendations identified emerged from a participatory planning
process involved in key stakeholders including the cruise lines, the
private sector, the Government and the civil society organizations,
(NGOs).
Signing on the behalf of the Government of Belize was the Minister of
Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tracy Panton, Director of Tourism signed
for the Belize Tourism Board and Michele Paige President of the
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association signed for the cruise lines.
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