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If you haven't heard, the GOB and Norweigan Cruise Lines have signed a memorandum of understanding in regards to NCL having a port at Harvest Caye. While this would help Cayo in the short term, since some tourists would not stay in Placencia due to overcrowding, in the long term, the entire country would suffer as the reef gets destroyed, and Belize loses its reputation of being one of the best ecotourism locations in the world.
Lucy Fleming, ex-president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, wrote an astounding letter to the GOB regarding the issue. All chapters of the BTIA in Belize are against the proposal, and they've made that known with letters to the GOB. This is an example of how you write a letter that sends a message, without offending, yet allowing people to read between the lines. Thank you, Lucy, for saying it so well.
"I think we all agree that Belize is owned by the people of Belize, and that the government of the day’s job is to manage the affairs of the nation on behalf of and as a representative of the people who put it in power. But how can a government presume to represent its citizens if they are not consulted about major decisions that will impact the nation today and into the future? There is a covenant between a democratic government and its people that those elected to power will act openly and in the public interest, and once this covenant is violated, any pretext of democracy goes out the window. That is why transparency and public disclosure are so important...
Harvest Caye is a public asset, as is the Belize brand. It is for all Belizeans and their children and their children’s children, not just for a chosen few. Many, many Belizeans have been involved in making Belize such a successful tourism destination. It has been the hard work, the warmth, friendliness and the unique character of the Belizean people combined with a stunning, pristine landscape that put us in the enviable position we are in today. Why then, are the Belizean people being excluded from such an important decision?"
