This morning, the Belize Tourism Industry Association held its 35th Annual General Meeting.
In this session, the Board of the BTIA provided a detailed accounting to its membership about how bad the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the tourism industry. They also discussed a few of the short-term, remedial steps they are taking to support BTIA members through what might be the biggest shock that Belize's tourism has ever faced.
As with all mass gathering events, this AGM was held via Zoom teleconference. We joined in, and here's what a few of the speakers had to say about the state of affairs in the industry at this time:
Raineldo Guerrero - Treasurer, BTIA "Income Statements, again it's showing a huge drop from $651,000 to $370,000 almost $300,000. As a result of that drop, it has affected every single facet of the operation of the BTIA. In terms of expenses, similarly, we were able to reduce expenses, and largely, this had to do with cutting staff costs from March reducing initially at 75, then 50%, terminating staff and all those critical decisions that we had to make, decisions we did not enjoy doing, but we were forced to do. And as a result, you see the difference in expenses as well. In essence, the BTIA income basically stopped at the end of March, but the expenses did not stop. And as a result, BTIA had to make some tough decisions, and one of our biggest costs, obviously, is the staff. I think it's okay for me to mention that all our staff has virtually been terminated. The last 2 members of staff are presently on notice, up to the end of December, and that's our position right now. We are looking to bounce back with new strategies, new hopes, new approaches."
Hon. Anthony Mahler - Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations "Globally, tourism generates 3 trillion dollars, and for Belize, over 1 billion dollars, globally 1 in 10 jobs, while in Belize, 1 in 4 jobs. Globally, approximately, 2 trillion dollars in investments, and in Belize, that number is over 200 million [dollars]. Globally, 10% of GDP, and in Belize [it's] somewhere around 25% of GDP directly, and indirectly, up to 40%. The reality is that tourism is an economic juggernaut. My friends we're truly living in an uncertain time, a time when many stakeholders are on the brink of losing everything, a time when the tourism industry has been shaken to the core. Today, almost all stakeholders are struggling to keep afloat, our tour guides, tour operators, restaurant owners, people who own gift shops, bars, attractions, small, medium, and large properties. No one has been spared the devastating blows of COVID. However, for all of you who are hurting badly. I can assure you that I have spoken with the Prime Minister and colleagues in Cabinet, and we are committed to doing whatever we can to ensure that the tourism industry has the support it needs to navigate through the COVID-19 minefields."
H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen - Taiwanese Ambassador/Guest Speaker "Now that most international travel has been restricted due to COVID-19, our government wasted no time, staging new policies to revitalize our tourism sector, after containing the domestic spread. There's always a silver lining to every cloud. So, we made our efforts to further improve the competitive edge of Taiwan's positioning in the international travel market. A Caribbean and Pacific Region Tourism and agriculture producers, a product's reception under the theme, "Visit the Secret Lands of the Allied Countries of the Caribbean, and the Pacific Region After the Epidemic", was held on November 5th, in Taipei. A letter of intent to promote tourism was signed by the Taiwan Quality Assurances Association and the Belize Tourism Industry Association. The purpose of the letter of intent is to promote mutual collaboration, exchange experiences, and share information in tourism. We will continue to increase the tourism exposure rate of Taiwanese travel agencies, particularly showcasing the unparalleled beauty of Belize, and bridging with the outstanding tourism industry of Belize. Belize poises itself with abundant splendor and wonders and beautifies. Geographically close to North America, Belize has much greater potential than Taiwan to further develop your tourism industry, and attract more worldwide tourists to discover this jewel of the crown."
A new Executive Committee was also elected for the period 2021/22. Stewart Krohn is now the new President of the BTIA. Tamara Sniffin remains the 1st Vice-President, Osmany Salas is the 2nd Vice President. Raineldo Guerrero stays on Treasurer, and Tanya Silva will remain as Secretary. Melanie Paz, the former President, has agreed to assist the new Committee.
