Last night on UNCUT, the guest was Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler and host Jules Vasquez asked him about all things that fall under his ministerial portfolio, which includes Belize's cruise tourism future.
Previous guests such as Prime Minister John Briceno, and Ministers Abner Andre Perez and Rodwell Ferguson have all shared their opinions on the 3 mega cruise port projects that are jostling for prime position in the Belize District. So, Jules asked Mahler about which of the 3 he supports. Here's that part of their extended conversation:
Jules Vasquez
"Where do you stand on this? Which of the 3 existing projects do you support?"
Hon. Anthony Mahler - Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations
"I support creating an enabling environment for investors to - I knew you would do that (laughs)."
Jules Vasquez
"You are dodging."
Hon. Anthony Mahler
"No, no, that is what government should do, create an enabling environment whereby the private sector is enabled to invest and thrive, building the economy, and that's through partnership. I believe if the numbers are right, and I believe, from talking to cruise executives or so, or over the last year, the western Caribbean can blossom during this time of COVID. We're already seeing the interest. The numbers are going to grow as we move forward, and I believe that there is an opportunity for more than one cruise port to be built in the Belize District."
Jules Vasquez
"Seriously, okay so..."
Hon. Anthony Mahler
"All the contracts that I've read, starting at the original Fort Street contract, to all the other ones, have outlined the requirements for 2 additional cruise ports, including the FSTV."
Jules Vasquez
"Okay, so the Government put out a position paper saying that Waterloo can't happen."
Hon. Anthony Mahler
"Well, as a result of the environmental issues, but what if you are able to move past the environmental issue?"
Jules Vasquez
"I hear you on that, sir."
Hon. Anthony Mahler
"But listen."
Jules Vasquez
"But, I'm saying the document put out by the Cabinet had already heard all those environmental workarounds those environmental workarounds."
