For over 15 years now, Tom Greenwood, the firebrand president of the FECTAB, the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize, has established himself as a controversial, household name. In all that time, he's been fighting for equal opportunity on behalf of the members of the Federation, who often have to settle for the crumbs of the cruise tourism industry.
But, the news tonight is that he is stepping down as President of FECTAB, and he's passing on the leadership of the organization to the Vice President, David Almendarez. FECTAB called a press conference this morning to discuss this change and several other causes that they are pursuing on behalf of their membership. Viewers are aware that they, like all other tourism stakeholders are in financial distress because of the COVID-19 shutdown of tourism worldwide.
We'll tell you about those, but we start first with this morning's public announcement that Greenwood is passing the leadership torch. Here's how David Almendarez, his successor, saluted him during the press conference today:
David Almendarez, New President, FECTAB
"Today, Mr. Tom is handing over the presidency of FECTAB to myself and I humbly accept. Firstly, a salute and gratitude to my new colleague and friend president emeritus of the cruise federation, it is an honor to stand with you to fulfil the pledge and defend equal opportunity to all membership. We have fought side by side Tom, myself, you and Yhony for the basic right of every Belizean, for the basic right of every person and to benefit anybody who calls tourism their home. If you don't believe it google it, it comes up. Today, I David Almendarez take up the leadership of FECTAB with no fear, with no hesitation to continue to defend and guide the development of the tourism industry, the local operators and all the benefits. We are tired of receiving crumbs and be viewed as incompetent, ignorant or acceptable. For me being a tour guide and a tour operator for more than 10 years I know about the good and the bad about tourism. I know about the sweets and the sours of tourism. FECTAB pledges to assist all the members of come out of poverty and ensure that we have a single strong voice to be heard and we are here to warn our membership of dangers and despots who may seek to trample our tranquility. Whoever is not willing to walk the walk or stand the stand with this organization, by all means you are allowed to leave without no prejudice or hard feelings. This said, I once again take the time out to personally thank the great Major for his unrival leadership, his dedication, his power to the people. Don't let any ghost fool you, this is by no ways and means a goodbye. We are simply honoring the man while he is still here."
Yhony Rosado
"If there is someone better than Tom Greenwood, if there is someone better than Yhony Rosado to tackle the problems, probably God will help us to help them lead, because I believe our president and myself are a bit tired of dealing with this issue fighting against a wave that will never stop coming, we always fight against the breeze that will never stop blowing, we always fight issues that can be fix by the stroke of a pen, but for whatever reason it is not done. It's not FECTAB to blame. We are only the voice of our fellow Belizean people involved in the cruise tourism and anywhere else."
But, Almendarez is already having to address a budding controversy in his capacity as the new leader of FECTAB. Several days ago, voice recordings were shared with media in which it appears that he is berating and chastising members of FECTAB who allegedly don't agree with the direction that the Federation is going. Those recordings, which paints Almendarez is a very negative light, was carried in a news story by Channel 5, which is coincidentally owned by Lord Michael Ashcroft. You'll remember that FECTAB went to Channel 5's Coney Drive headquarters to protest against Ashcroft's proposed 200 million dollar facelift for the Port of Belize.
Well Today, Almendarez publicly speculated that the airing of the recordings was a calculated counter-attack. Here's how he explained why:
David Almendarez, New President, FECTAB
"A junior member of the association reached out to us and expressed his desire to join the executive branch of the FECTAB as the capacity of president or vice president, with much enthusiasm we welcomed his participation and listen to his views. We warmheartedly and good faith and with good mind showed him the foundation of FECTAB and describe the current aims and goals and he in his own accredited wisdom created a WhatsApp group of which has no affiliation with FECTAB, labeled local tour operator, which I was added to without no request. The chat group was in no way affiliated or sanctioned by FECTAB. The executive membership met and the decision was made at this time not to honor the junior member request. Since then intentional accusations and ranting and threatening of overturning of the leadership started in this WhatsApp group. Earlier exchanges of voice clippings were sent via chat group with comments to a local media house."
Email
Print