The IDB Funded Sustainable Tourism Project II - launched in 2016 is all about implementing the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in new and emerging destinations such as Corozal District, Toledo, the Mountain Pine Ridge, and Caye Caulker.
Last week in Caye Caulker, the IDB and the Ministry of Tourism launched a signage project for the village - Country Manager Cassandra Rogers explained how it will work.
Cassandra Rogers, IDB Country Rep., Belize
"A program which supports the improvements, restoration and diversification of local destinations such as Caye Caulker. We believe this is the right way to go in order to optimally harness Belize's tourism potential for wealth creation and sustainable growth and also to make sure that whatever is done is done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. I feel confident that through this program we shall realize the possibilities that flow from strengthening destination planning and management and to ensure as much as possible that tourism is a benefit to the local community. Very important, and the local economy."
Carrie Ann Johnson, IDB Consultant
"This phase of investment really look at installing signage throughout the southern end of Caye Caulker to enhance the visitor experience and to assist in way finding. So I know some of you are familiar with when people come to the island they want to know where is what. Now we have signs up that you can point them to the sign. We have maps in certain areas and we even have directional signage to help people get around. We also placed street signs along the major intersections. So a lot of the streets when we came initially and we found out about the history of these streets, we need to put these signs up and one of the great things about this project is in conjunction with BLTC, the village council and the traffic department. We were able to placed signs on the properties, the houses and that is really reflective of the welcoming and neighborly vibes of the people in Caye Caulker."
It is the IDB's 25th year in Belize, and they have been supporting sustaining tourism projects for 20 of those years. A release says that between 1998 and 2015, the Bank's investment in tourism, "which includes three loans and 15 grants, amounted to $43 million US dollars."
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