And while that project is engaging cruise and conservation interests in Belize City – Placencia's tourist industry stakeholders are looking to kick up dust again.
And again, they are trying to block a proposed project from Norwegian Cruise Line.
After being blocked on Crawl Caye, it seems Norwegian Cruise Lines has turned its attention to Harvest Caye, which is just south of the peninsula. It's a privately owned island – and reports are that Norwegian has signed a letter of intent with the British island owner to develop a cruise port.
But, it's not going to happen if the Placencia Tour Guide Association has its way. At what's described as a well attended meeting last night, 41 of 44 attendees voted to reject any Norwegian proposal for Harvest Caye.
Opinions ranged from concerns over manatee feeding and mating habitats that would be destroyed by dredging, to the effect on overnight tourism and the allegation that no construction jobs are promised to villagers.
Speaking of the possible shift in cruise activity from Central to South Belize, Chair of the Placencia Chapter of BTIA, Stewart Krohn, told us, quote, "Cruise Tourism is like herpes; don't willfully spread it."
Krohn told us Placencia Tourism interests and their allies will make a concerted effort to block any plan for Harvest Caye, by applying domestic and international pressures – much as they did for the aborted Crawl Caye Cruise port.
