Ecotourism: Can Belize Handle the Heat?

With its diverse landscape, Belize is a symbolic ecosystem laboratory. Certainly, this terrain—replete with exotic rainforests, dry plains, and a tropical, marine environment teeming with untold species of fish—is a paradise on Earth. Consequently, Belize is saturated in the wash of runaway tourism, which is the living engine of its economy. But even relative prosperity can bear the seeds of big problems. Tourism is imposing harsh penalties upon the country; and the gentle ecosystem is reeling under the strain.

Although Belize has garnered a well-deserved reputation as an “eco-friendly” and “green conscious” nation, it continues to wobble under the virulent pressure of waste dumping, littering, beach erosion, and overcrowding—just to name a few. Accordingly, the Belize Tourist Industry Association (BTIA), which formed to promote eco-tourism, is acutely aware of this crisis.

One of the single most insidious threats to ecological stability in Belize, though, is the cruise industry.

Cruise Blues

In the study, “Cruise Tourism in Belize: Perceptions of Economic, Social, and Environmental Impact—2006,” every local farmer and fisherman interviewed stated that quality of nature was highly important; and a majority indicated that solitude, cleanliness, and contact with nature was very important. Further, the majority also believed that cruise tourism contributed to serious environmental hazards like toxic waste pollution, extinction of wildlife species, and the spoilage of beaches and forests.

When questioned, one travel manager expressed the notion that since cruise guests generally visit the country for a shorter stay and spend residential time on board, they do not cultivate familiarity and an appreciation for the locale. In the opinion of David Johnson, professor of coastal management at Southampton Solent University, the cruise itself—for many travelers—is the destination, even though the terrestrial destination remains central to the cruise product.

Ultimately, though, cruise-related waste deposit discharges present the most invasive menace to the ecology of the nation. These practices elevate the potential for mushrooming sewage and water toxicity which could result in the spread of disease in epidemic proportions within the human population.

Tour Guidance

Front and center in Belize is the potent economic force of low-impact tourism. Historically, the nation has offered itself as a mecca for scuba divers who plumb the depths of the iconic Blue Hole; and nature enthusiasts who revel in a variety of exploration activities. In this way, eco-tourists can enjoy an array of group-oriented trips that respect the ecosystem. Indeed, Belize is a haven for travelers who can’t resist the wondrous sites and aquatic life.

Regions such as the Toledo district on the Southern tip are in close proximity to the majestic rainforests. The town of Punta Gorda, in that district, is a fisherman’s shrine. The deep sea fishing there attracts anglers from every corner of the globe.

The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, the Belize-based partner of the Rainforest Alliance, works to preserve the eco-balance within the region. One of its critical projects is the effort to encourage both commercial development and conservation standards compatible with the ecological goals of the country.

The Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) is engaged in recognition programs designed to celebrate the pristine beauty and spectacular heritage found within that area.

Economic Climate Change

Since tourism in Belize regularly accounts for $US200 million in revenue per year, the logical strategy should seek to neutralize any variables which impede growth. Factors like climate change do have a direct, corrosive influence on tourism in Belize. Although tourism itself produces a minimal portion of greenhouse gases, no adequate means to curb carbon emissions is available. A conceptual framework to asses the impact of tourism on climate change and conversely, a methodology to gauge the impact of climate change on tourism should be formulated to obtain a total, accurate picture for reciprocal benefit.

Elements such as rising sea levels, coastal land/beach erosion, and relative sea temperatures must be factored into the equation. Any framework must devise solutions to thwart economic vulnerability which result in erratic climate change. Erratic climate swings do have a measurable, detrimental impact on coral reefs, rainforests, and wildlife species. In time, such conditions could pose demonstrable health hazards.

Quest for Help

Concerned citizens, ecological experts, and conservation professionals continue to push for responsible tourism management in Belize. Cruise and residential tourism will accelerate in the nation. The likelihood of exponential growth is irrefutable and desirable. But a sustainable plan to protect the environment—even a nuanced one—is critical to the economic and ecological survival of the nation.

(Bille Anthony Sinclair is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine. For comments, please feel free to contact him at bille@islandvibesmag.com.)