Royal Caribbean Targets Belize Peninsula for Cruise 'Tourism Village'

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After months of speculation, Belize government officials confirmed last week that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines wants to build a "tourism village" near the remote village of Placencia.

Ministry of Tourism chief executive Mike Singh told reporters the cruise company plans a facility on the southern point of the peninsula as "a welcome center for tendered cruise passengers."

The proposal is already sparking sharp debate. As any industry professional will attest, cruise ships can be a mixed blessing. On one hand they expose a destination to thousands of travelers, including potential second home buyers. But detractors argue that the ships only bring day-trippers who don't spend money and leave environmental damage in their wake.


A majority of the members of the Placencia branch of the Belize Tourism Industry Association reportedly oppose the idea of a cruise ship village for larger boats, according to local reports. Singh told reporters the village would be "low density."

"This project suggests that the developers are interested in introducing a niche brand of cruise tourism into that region, aiming at small cruise ships with non-fixed itineraries," he said.

Of course, Royal Caribbean might simply be posturing for a better deal, proposing an alternative to the only existing cruise ship facility in the country, the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City. Royal Caribbean is reportedly in a dispute over plans to build a second terminal in Belize City.

But Placencia would offer benefits. Belize City is, to say the least, not very tourist friendly. Placencia would provide easy access to the jungle and diving excursions beloved by cruise ship adventurers, boosting the tourism market by showing off the real Belize.

Singh promised public hearings to vet any proposal. Input from community and environmental groups will be considered, in addition to "the impact of this proposal on employment and economic benefits, as well as on sites and attractions, reaches far beyond Placencia Village itself," Singh said.

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