And from airports to cruise ports, Belize is about 20 years behind in getting a cruise port that can accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world. We've already fallen way behind Roatan and Cozumel in the number of Port calls in this western Caribbean area. So, when will the Cruise Lines write off Belize as hopeless for a port with a berthing facility? That's what we asked:
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism
"The reality of the situation is that we need a mainland port docking facility. And to my knowledge it is being worked on and so we should be able to have some movement to see the numbers go up when that is completed within the next couple of years."
Reporter:
"Four years?"
"You said in a couple, a couple is two, maybe it is more like 2 couples."
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism
US, 2 US.
Reporter:
"Alright, fair".
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism
"So it think that is one thing and the rationale is that you have ships that are bypassing us right now because they are just too big to tender and so that is really what is affecting the lower numbers in the destination."
"At some point the cruise lines will just say man I am tired of waiting on you, link me when you have something because you have been saying something will be coming for 20 years and it can't reach yet. Are they losing patience with us?"
Nicole Usher Solano, CEO, Tourism
"I don't think so. I think we continue to engage the cruise lines. It is important. Both Mr. Tillett, and our Minister continue to sit down around the table with all the major cruise lines, talk to them, and encourage them. I do believe that our product and the fact that we are a significant shore excursion destination, I think that it will never change and it will always put Belize in a position where we, you know, we are attractive to the lines. But at the same time we have to respect the business and we have to understand that they also have numbers that they need to reach. So what you are saying is true, we need to be able to give them the confidence that we are on that road. And I think we do. I think we continue to stay in contact with them and I don't believe that they are losing, I think we are okay."
The cruise port planned for the Port of Belize is still in the early stages of discussion - and will reportedly cost somewhere in the range of 350 million US dollars
