Belize is holding the interim presidency of the Central American Integration system, SICA and today tourism ministers from Salvador, Honduras and Belize led a high level meeting on San Pedro.
The subject was - what else- tourism…but it wasn't a glad handing, self congratulating review of progress made, it was a sober look at the fact this region is lagging behind.
Jim McFadzean found out more:….
"Belize became a full member of SICA in 2000, but after a decade of membership, the country has been slow to take advantage of the regional grouping of 8 member states, and more than a dozen observer status states such as Mexico, Spain , Taiwan and China."
In February of 1993, SICA became the economic, cultural and political organization of Central American States. It now represents more than 50 million people, and boasts an estimated GDP of more than 300 billion dollars. Like its sister nations, Belize is banking heavily on Tourism. But the region is lagging behind other popular destinations like Cuba, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
Lic. Nelly Jerez, Minister of Tourism, Honduras
"We welcome Mr. Luis Simo the vice Minister of Dominican Republica, a country that has a lot to show us about tourism the way we must go, so we can make a region as powerful as your country is in tourism."
"Indeed Belize and the rest of the region can learn a lot from the Dominican Republic. Last year that country showed revenue of 4 billion dollars. Thanks to Tourism!"
Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"One thing that I know that they have is that they spent a lot more money than almost anyone of us here in marketing. The Belize marketing is the same form of that of Santo Domingo, it's just that they spend a lot more millions than what Belize spends. So tourism is all about marketing and I am sure that if we get together and we work as a region definitely we can achieve more."
Jim McFadzean
"I understood it that he talk also most importantly that his country invest 3.5 million dollars to boost tourism to that region."
Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"Definitely I also believe that infrastructure is a key component to anything in tourism. Unfortunately there are countries that do not have the resources to invest either from local funding or from international funding it is quite difficult, but if we would have the funding I for one believe that in particular in the archaeological sites Belize as a country will be willing to do a lot more. Definitely I agree with him when we say that the government and the people have to be willing and believe in the tourism industry."
Lic. Nelly Jerez, Minister of Tourism, Honduras
"In Central America we are making a lot of efforts to show the world all the wonders that we have. We are doing it as an individual country each one of us but we are now trying to plan to work harder how we can sell ourselves as a region."
"The united effort at selling regional tourism gets underway in Antigua, Guatemala next month. Reporting for Seven News, I'm Jim McFadzean "
That effort is a fair, called Feria Catam with participation of more than 150 International travel agents.
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