We've been reporting on the fact that while overnight tourism arrivals have increased sharply in 2024, cruise tourism is down 2.6%. The Minister conceded that the problem lies in the lack of a berthing facility, and grassroots cruise advocacy group FECTAB agrees - but they weren't too kind about it. In a 90 minute "scattershot" press conference today, they fired away at the government, but especially at Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler.
But amidst the insults, criticisms, and complaints, FECTAB's main call was for a mainland port that would drive up cruise tourism in the city. And they say that port is Magical Belize.
Yhony Rosado, FECTAB
"When there was the first cruise ship, with 400 passengers, the tourists were all over Albert Street. All over Banak Street, all over boulevard, they didn't know, they thought we were an island so they were just walking around. With 400 passengers, there were tourists walking all through Channel 7's street, Dean Street, spreading the love and that's when the BTB and the cruise ship came up with every cruise ship that came to Belize spent, their studies, spent $70-$120 US per person. Now ask the media houses this morning, when a cruise ship comes, do you see tourists walking like before? Sometimes one ship bring 3,000-4,000 passengers and we don't see tourists walking on Albert Street."
"When the industry punishes, the city punishes because there's no money in the city. Yesterday, we had one ship. Very few people got a job. Very few, like 10% of us. You know if you have 100 tour guides or tour operators, only 10% - 90% of us stayed back without a job. Now, this is the problem, water bill come up, light bill come up, that bill come up. We cannot pay the bills if we're not employed, if we're not making money."
"I'm saying we need a mainland port and we need it now. We're saying, the technocrats, study magical port. That's the closest we can be to having a mainland port that we will drive there and get our guests and get our tours and make our money."
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