Belize Works to Find Balance between Cruise Tourism and Environment

The Belize Tourism Board, Conservation International (CI) and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) witnessed the culmination of their 12-month partnership with the signing of a groundbreaking conservation agreement by cruise industry leaders representing government, private sector, civil society, and cruise lines on May 12th, 2008 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. By signing this agreement the partners set into motion an important environmental initiative that seeks to improve management of cruise ship visitation and to preserve Belize’s marine natural resources.

The agreement provides a framework to facilitate the sustainability of cruise tourism in Belize. By having all key stakeholder groups—government, private sector, civil society (NGOs) and cruise lines— involved in this process, it creates an atmosphere of shared responsibility.

After a series of focus group meetings and a multi-stakeholder shop that brought together more than 60 cruise industry leaders, industry leaders have agreed to:

• Enhance marine and coastal resource use management
• Improve tourism planning, basic tourism infrastructure and management of services/facilities for cruise ship visitors
• Foster adequate site monitoring and compliance with existing regulations, and
• Promote conservation awareness among cruise ship visitors about Belize’s natural heritage

These lines of action and a host of recommendations are elaborated in a practical action plan titled: Protecting Belize’s Natural Heritage: An Action Plan for Shared Stewardship of a Cruise Destination.