January 30, 2011
Dear Editor
As someone living abroad, but with ties to Belize and a professional understanding of the tourism and cruise ship industries, I read with interest the recent controversy between Carnival Cruise Lines and Belizean tender operators.
I would like to make a few observations.
First, in marketing terms, Belize has an incredibly strong Unique Selling Proposition (USP, a mix of attributes that makes something stand out and creates value). In fact, such strong a USP would be the envy of anyone trying to sell anything anywhere.
Nowhere else in the Caribbean region, nor indeed the world, is there such an extraordinarily rich mix of physical beauty, cultures, activities and interests. Whether you’re eight years old or eighty, you could find something relaxing or fascinating to do in Belize.
To be able to explore ancient Maya temple and city sites in a morning and be relaxing on a beautiful white Caribbean beach that afternoon is a rare experience indeed. Add in a by and large friendly, bilingual population and an economy pegged to the US dollar, and you have the making for an incredibly rich tourism experience.
Why then, does Belize consistently sell itself cheap to any well-heeled overseas hustler who takes an interest in the place? I watched with joy and great expectation when Belize achieved political independence, but 30 years on, the Jewel still seems to be suffering from colonialism, albeit corporate colonialism this time. But it’s still the same exploitation of another’s resources and people for gain and self-interest. It is the same old story of the rich and powerful preying on the smaller, more vulnerable nations of the world.
Is anyone really surprised with Carnival’s recent actions? Did industry insiders, tourism stakeholders and government officers not see this coming? Has the unbridled corporate greed that is the hallmark of globally financed entities such as Carnival, and their complete disregard for ethical behaviour, fair play and the interests of people in developing nations gone unnoticed?
Really, given Carnival’s history of disregard for the environment, culture and people of the countries it exploits, did the events of last week come as a complete surprise?
However, there is a lesson to be learned here, and a way forward, and the people of Belize themselves hold the key.
The reason why the former colonies of the United States, for example, became so strong is that early in the game they said, “Wow, we’ve got a lot going on here, and a lot to offer the world. Let’s take control of it right now, and manage our resources for our benefit and growth, and deal with our trading partners from a position of strength.”
Or something like that.
The point is that Belize, as a nation, is yet to shake off centuries of being exploited by corporate greed. Whether it’s cutting down logwood and mahogany until there just isn’t any left, establishing plantations until the price of sugar drives down profits, or using the barrier reef as a convenient drop off point for drugs destined for foreign markets, hustlers seem to come and go with impunity and traditionally, official collusion.
Just like any form of abuse, the time must come to say – no more. There is usually some short term pain in breaking abusive relationships, but feelings of strength and independence quickly follow, and new ways of doing things open up.
It is a fact of life that Belize now depends on tourism. It is time for all Belizeans to not just participate in tourism, but be involved with how tourism is being managed by elected officials. Make everyone who enters into a deal affecting this integral part of the national economy, accountable. Have they acted in the best interests of the nation, or their own? Was a better deal possible? Is this an equitable or one-sided exchange?
Tourism is integral to Belize’s current financial wellbeing and future growth. It is too important to leave in the hands of a few. It is time to demand better, more transparent deals and more accountability on the part of those signing them.
Don’t get angry Belize, get the sense.
A Lover of Belize