One of the aspects of tourism we don’t talk about is how it weakens the morals of the host people. You know that I am not a moralist, so what am I doing bringing up such a subject?
The iconic Mr. Price opposed tourism for his own reasons. He never elaborated. My personal thinking was that we were blessed with bountiful natural resources and a small population, so Belize could go in a direction such as deep sea fishing, which emphasized hard work as opposed to fawning hospitality. Mr. Price, coming to think of it, emphasized work on the land, hard work.
Between the late 1980s and early/mid 1990s, I saw tourism begin to weaken the moral fiber of Placencia. I can’t recall saying much, or even anything, because the money was too easy, too sweet. Who was I to argue with easy money?
When the virus struck last year March, I thought we would use the opportunity to look in a direction other than tourism for our main meal. But, it was not to be. Belize is back worshipping at the tourism shrine. Belizeans and foreigners have already invested great chunks of money over the last three decades. It doesn’t seem now that there’s any turning back.
But, the wages of sin is death, as it is said. I’m no one to be preaching. But, the evidence is right in front of us.