Proposed Belize Cruise Port Gains Opposition

---

Local development and tourism groups are lining up to fight a proposed cruise ship terminal near Placencia, a quiet village on the central coast of Belize.

In a public meeting last week, members of the Placencia Village Council, Placencia Tour Guide Association and the Placencia chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association expressed their concerns to representatives of Royal Caribbean International and the Belize government. Royal Caribbean has already purchased land for the terminal, which would be the first in Belize outside the main port of Belize City.

Placencia built its reputation as a low-density eco destination, which would be destroyed by waves of cruise ship passengers, opponents argue

"It cheapens the product," Placencia Village council president Charles Leslie, Jr. said in an interview with local media.

Rumors have swirled for months about the cruise terminal proposal, but weren't made public until August, surprising many local officials. Although the cruise company might bring more tourists to the area, developers fear the cruise ship terminal could destroy the region's ambiance, which is the attraction to second home buyers and retirees.

"Overnight tourists and foreign home owners are our current and future bread and butter that we have worked so hard for over the last 20 years," said local developer Boris Mannsfeld, who is building the Villas at CocoPlum. "They will be driven away if cruise ships arrive here."

Mannsfeld, who has helped lead the opposition, said the "huge majority" of local interests are against the terminal

"The more we look into it, it really seems the government has already given this thing a thumbs up without listening, consulting or even informing the people of Placencia," he said.

---