Today the Belize Tourism Board invited the media to a long overdue press briefing. Over the past two weeks we have been reporting about the situation
with major tour operator Bradley Paumen who has been hauled before the courts for allegedly plotting a murder hit on his neighbour in Frank's Eddy. His
situation was further compromised when it became known that Paumen's tour company, Dark Night had been operating for almost three weeks in early
January without a valid tour operator's license. As had been previously reported, in December, Paumen was issued two notices informing him that his
tour license was about to expire.
Then in January he was served with two other notices telling him to cease and desist. But he just kept on going. On the 19
th
he fulfilled his requirements and his license was renewed. No harm no foul right? Well the local tour guides we had spoken to didn't think so. So today
we asked BTB's Director of Business Development- what's with all the special treatment when dealing with Dark Night? Here is what he told us.
Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB
"Belize is a country based on the rule of law. There is due process, it's a police matter at this point in time, and it will come before the courts. We
will be guided by that; that still remains to be settled and I assume that is a very lengthy process that will transpire there. For us when he comes
before the committee all that will be heard at that point in time will be his illegal operation or his breaking of the law and any disciplinary
actions, penalties, fines will be imposed as per the decision of the committee."
Paumen goes before the Tour Operator's Committee sometime in February. We are told that the penalties, if any, can range from anything to a slap on the
wrist to the revocation of their license. And according to Javier Parades, the only issue the committee will take into account is the 18 days of
unlicensed operations. Now there was another matter that further compromises the situation of Dark Night. The fact is, based on the judge's 2015
ruling, Paumen's tours trespass on the property of Michael Modiri. Modiri is suing him for trespass, but BTB turned a blind eye to the violation even
though the judgement came down months ago. So how do they justify that?
Emanuel Pech
"Note that it was judgement that ruled that Mr. Paumen had trespassed on other property to get to the land. Was that even considered when he received
his license? The judgement rule that he did trespass."
Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB
"Again that is a matter that; these issues will come before the committee. At a licensing in other words what we do is we divorce the issues. Licensing
when you apply, if you apply for license you have to meet the criteria for a license. Once you meet those criteria and those requirements you are
allowed to continue operating."
Reporter
"So in this case the matter of road access was never something that was raised by the BTB as a question to having access to the land where he wanted to
operate on?"
Javier Paredes - Director of Business Development, BTB
"When he came in to apply these issues were there, he had access. How that turned out later you mentioned that it was brought before the courts etc.;
that is something current at that point in time, he had access to do his tours."
In the meantime BTB is allowing his tours to continue operating unhindered. His business clients however are not being so dismissive of recent court
appearances. BTB confirmed that one cruise Line Royal Caribbean has temporarily suspended their agreement with Dark Night. Although they didn't state a
specific reason, the suspension came in the aftermath of Paumen's arrest.
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