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Belize.com Newsletter for 28 April 2005
A Roundup of Interesting News in the Jewel
Belize.com News Letter for April 28 2005
APRIL HAS BEEN A TUMULTUOUS month for Belize. Protests, a mini riot, looting of some businesses and a week-long interruption of telephone and Internet services followed a call for civil disobedience launched by the opposition United Democratic Party in conjunction with the telephone company labor union. The telephone workers are unhappy with Government over the current ownership structure of Belize Telecommunications Ltd.
Some tourists were left in dire straits when they were unable to get cash advances on their credit cards as many ATMS were down. Sabotage was carried out against the country’s telephone system by UDP-Union activists and this was followed shortly by sabotage against electricity transmission lines. There were a couple of days of brownouts.
Following concerns expressed by some travelers, the US Embassy issued a statement that read in part: “In the Embassy's estimate, it is unnecessary to ask U.S. citizens to defer their travel to Belize. There are no indications of any anti-U.S. sentiments, or that U.S. citizens or interests, or other foreigners, are at any greater risk. U.S. citizens should be aware that they may face inconveniences arising from the disruption of normal telecommunications.”
As of today April 28, Belize is back to normal except for a failing teachers strike which has attracted little interest. All telecommunications, electricity and other services are normal.
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MINISTER OF TOURISM Godfrey Smith has commented on the recent acts of civil disobedience in Belize. Speaking on a radio interview he stated:
“Because tourism is so central and fundamental to our growth and development any action that sets it back in any way to my mind is unnecessary and is enough damage. I cannot attempt to put a figure or calculate how affected we are I can simply say to you that if there is enough damage the moment you have tourists who feel inconvenience by the inability to process credit card transactions by the inability to get on a flight as regularly as they could in the pass all these things set us back. Obviously the position has now changed with telecommunications back to complete normalcy with ATMs now working and the hotels and restaurants being able to process transactions certainly on the tourism part there is a lot less inconveniences affecting tourist. We hope it will remain on that path from here onwards into the future. Flights continue to come into Belize and the Cruise Industry has not been affected.”
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CABINET HAS AGREED to work with Belize Airports Authority to upgrade all airstrips in Belize. Priority will be given to the Belize City Municipal and Placencia Airstrips. A new airstrip will be built in Punta Gorda. Work will also begin shortly on the expansion programmer for the International Airport in Belize City, including the extension of the runway and the terminal building. Financing has been identified by the Belize Airport Concession Company for the airport expansion programmer and a contractor will be selected through public tender.
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A NEW RESORT, Almond Beach Belize, was recently opened at Hopkins Village in Stann Creek, Belize. Almond Beach Belize is located on the beach next to the well known Jaguar Reef Lodge and shares its dining and adventure trip facilities, while providing luxury accommodation for the traveler who wants every comfort when they return home after an exciting day at the reef, jungle or Mayan ruins.
The twelve new units include two 800 square feet, Honeymoon Casitas, each in their own building, looking over the beach and infinity pool, with Cathedral ceilings, two-person soaker tubs, and luxurious, hand-carved, furnishings.
The resort is owned by the Hayles family, with David Hayles, a resident of Belize with long-term interests in the tourism industry the Managing Director of the resort.
“We came to recognize that Belize is moving into a new era, with more affluent guests attracted to all the amazing adventures that Belize has to offer, but also looking for a small, boutique, resort that provides the space, comfort and elegant furnishings that they find in more developed countries,” he said in launching the new offering.
The resort web site www.almondbeachbelize.com is now up and running, with a web brochure that can be downloaded from the site. The site also contains an online booking and availability system in Belize that enables individuals and travel agents to confirm their booking in minutes. The resort also has its own 6 minute DVD which introduces prospective guests to the resort and provides further information on the range of activities that are possible from a resort based on the south coast of Belize, and with easy access to both water and land-based attractions.
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THE US GOVERNMENT is building a new embassy in the capital city of Belmopan. Expected to cost US$50 million, the facility will be state of the art and should be ready for business in less than two years. The current embassy is located in a dilapidated wooden structure in the old capital Belize City. In a separate development, the US Government is also soliciting bids for the construction of a self-contained facility for housing and recreational facilities for embassy personnel.
The start of the US Embassy project has added impetus to Belmopan’s development, already the fastest growing population centre in Belize. Two new middle and high income housing projects were launched this month.
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ANDREA ELRINGTON, a 22 year old student of Communications and Public Relations will represent Belize at the Miss Universe Contest in Thailand in May. Andrea is the daughter of well-know Opposition politician and attorney Hubert Elrington.
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