Earlier this week we told you about the position taken by the Belize Tourism Industry Association, that it would not demand that the government of Belize open the PGIA on July 1st. This came after the organization took a poll of its membership. The result was split 50/50 with half the members in favor and half opposed. That's why BTIA said it would leave the decision up to the government in its wisdom.
Now, this decision has created a deep rift in the industry association. The BTIA today sent out a letter announcing that many of its large and powerful members had withdrawn. The BTIA sent them a letter today saying, quote: "Thank you very much for your past support…We will continue to do everything within our reach to ensure that our industry gets back on track for the benefit of our current members and, by extension, the entire industry, which includes you. You are always welcome at the BTIA." end quote.
And while that puts a nice face on an ugly divide, we understand that many of BTIA largest members and top sponsors including huge resorts have pulled their membership in protest of the poll, possibly leaving the organization in the lurch during lean times.
The division in the industry continues as the Belize Hotel Association will reportedly run its own poll to gauge membership support for a timeline on the re-opening of the P.G.I.A.
Reportedly more than ¾ of that remaining membership support an August 1st re-opening. We'll follow that story next week.
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