HomeEconomyBelize Tackles Travel Advisories with New Safety Strategy

Belize Tackles Travel Advisories with New Safety Strategy

Tourism Strategy

Belize Tackles Travel Advisories with New Safety Strategy

Security matters to all of us, but when it comes to tourism, it’s absolutely critical. In a country like Belize, where the economy leans heavily on visitors, safety can make or break the industry. That’s why the Belize Tourism Board rolled out a brand-new National Tourism Safety Strategy this morning in Belize City. It’s all about keeping guests safe while they explore our beautiful country. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the full story.

 

Tourism SectorPaul Lopez, Reporting

Tourism is big business in Belize, and keeping visitors safe is key to keeping that business thriving. That’s why the Belize Tourism Board, working alongside law enforcement, has launched a bold five-year plan to boost security across the country. In the past, travel advisories from countries like the U.S. and Canada have raised concerns about safety here. But instead of dodging the issue, the BTB is tackling it head-on. This morning in Belize City, they unveiled their National Tourism Safety Strategy. According to BTB’s Security Specialist Herman Blease, the plan brings all law enforcement agencies together to create a safer, more secure experience for every visitor.

 

Herman Blease

                     Herman Blease

Herman Blease, Security Specialist, Belize Tourism Board

“Tourist can come to Belize and feel safe, that while they come to Belize and are enjoying their vacation, the police department, BDF, Coast Guard, we are all working in tandem to make sure that tourist come, feel safe, and enjoy their stay while in Belize.”

 

It took two years of listening, really listening, to voices from across the tourism industry. Now, a small but focused committee of six has turned those conversations into action. After hearing concerns from stakeholders nationwide, they’ve created a strategy aimed squarely at improving safety for visitors. That plan, launched today, is the backbone of Belize’s new National Tourism Safety Strategy.

 

National Tourism Safety StrategyHerman Blease

“Whether they are having light issues, safety issues, hot spots that make tourists unsafe. We look at all of those, then we come back to the table, and we sit down and discuss all of those threats to the industry. Then we came back and sat down to develop the strategy from there.”

The Belize Police Department is playing a critical role in the implementation of the strategy. Outside of the plan, BTB receives monthly reports from the police. Those records have been instrumental in developing the security strategy.

 

Richard Rosado

                 Richard Rosado

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“The police department plays an integral role because we are the primary law enforcers when it comes to maintaining law and order and ensuring security for the tourist.”

As part of the first phase of implementation, a new officer has been appointed to head the Tourism Police Unit.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“The commander designated is Assistant Superintendent Zenubia Coc. He will assume command on August the fifteenth of this year and what I do believe is that he comes with a background from the community policing unit. They have been working with the unit for the past fifteen years. The tourism strategic plan speaks about developing collaboration, working with stakeholders and a partner agency. I believe he will be an asset in the implementation of the Tourism Security Strategy Development Plan.”

 

Belize Tackles Travel Advisories with New Safety StrategyOne of the big concerns that came up during the national consultation was the growing number of unlicensed tour guides offering services to visitors. Sure, they often charge less, but that lower price can come at a high cost. According to Blease, many of the incidents involving tourists happen when they link up with people who aren’t following the rules. It’s a risk the new strategy aims to tackle head-on.

 

Herman Blease

“One of the challenges we have a tourism board is the tour operators trying to circumvent regulations, operating without a license, picking up tourist and taking them on tours and at times tourist wants cheaper services so they look for persons not regulated. I want to say to them that is not the correct thing to do. A lot of our incidents stems from our guest working with people not following regulations.”

A review of the strategy will be conducted in a year’s time to determine what is working and where adjustments can be made. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

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