More Sargassum, More Costs. No Plan?

Sargassum has become such a recurring problem in Belize that for many coastal businesses and hotels, clearing the seaweed is now a fixed operating expense. 

Belize Hotel Association President Reynaldo A. Malik Jr. says the problem is particularly challenging along the Placencia Peninsula, where the geography naturally traps large amounts of sargassum. 

But who is responsible for clearing Belize’s coast? According to Malik Jr., the responsibility for clearing the coastline cannot fall entirely on private businesses. Although hotels should maintain the sections of beach in front of their properties, Malik says government and local authorities should address undeveloped stretches of coastline, including crown land. 

“It really does need a partnership,” he said. “We have to have a plan, and that is my, where I get agitated… Because I have not seen a plan that works.” 

That concern extends to the money being allocated to tackle sargassum. 

“You can set aside funds. You can have all the funds in the world available, but if you don’t have a plan to address it then we’re just basically throwing them,” Malik said. “You might as well just climb on top of the building and throw the money into the breeze.” 

At the same time, Malik also pushed back on the idea that hoteliers are powerless against the problem. “I, for one, believe that some, not all, but some of us are not doing our part to mitigate the sargassum effect,” he said, and cited that some properties allow sargassum to pile up.

He also addressed Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler’s recent statement, where he said that the push behind the increase of Hotel Tax from nine percent to twelve is to create a funding source for sargassum mitigation affecting the industry. confirmed the BHA is in active talks with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s office, with a formal sit-down still pending. 

“Whatever affects us, positively or negatively, is going to have ramifications for the overall economy of Belize as well,” Malik said. “So I’m sure we’re gonna get that worked out in a manner that will work for everyone.”