For the past two nights, we've been telling you about the big poll that the Belize Tourism Industry Association did. They asked their members how they felt about re-opening the Phillip Goldson International on July first, or later in the year.
As we told you, one prominent tourism interest, Tropic Air, wrote a letter lobbying members to vote for an urgent opening on July first for an industry in peril.
Well, the results are in - and as we suggested last night - the final tally does not fall in the favour of Tropic and other large interests who are pushing for that July first opening.
The BTIA today sent a release saying, quote,"The survey confirmed that BTIA members are divided about the timing of any PGIA opening.
Specifically, there was no consensus for a July 1st reopening, with 50% of respondents supporting this opening date. 50% of respondents indicated a preference for a later reopening date." end quote.
It continue to say, quote, "In summary, BTIA's membership is conflicted on the PGIA reopening issue. Since the matter is so complicated and factual knowledge is limited, BTIA will refrain from lobbying for a specific reopening date. BTIA trusts that the Government of Belize and the Covid-19 National Oversight Committee will evaluate the situation and act accordingly in the best interest of Belizeans." End quote.
So, there it is, BTIA - the leading industry group for tourism - will back off and leave it to the GOB. We asked the Executive Director all about this big decision:
And while BTIA won't push Government, reliable reports say its members are still privately pressuring the PM and others for that July first re-opening.
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