San Jose Succotz Gets New Tourism Hub Near Xunantunich

Over the weekend, the government opened a newly renovated welcome center in San Jose Succotz, Cayo. The facility, once neglected, has been revitalized to enhance the community’s role in tourism and foster greater cultural and historical engagement with the nearby Xunantunich Maya Ruins. The newly renovated center is strategically located to serve as a central hub for visitors and tour guides. It will facilitate organized tours of the archaeological site while providing access to cultural and historical information about the Maya civilization. Cayo West Area Representative Jorge Espat spoke about the work that went into launching the project and how it will benefit the community.

Jorge Espat, Area Representative, Cayo West: “For more than 20 plus years, what did this village got? Nothing. Instead of helping to restore the only cancha that the village had, they finished to destroy it. I recall when we were cleaning, on the ground there was a marker. I think it’s 1982 that was printed in the concrete. When it was practically built, the efforts, I recall they mentioned to me that it used to be a basketball court. And then they extended it. The council at the time, PUP, People’s United Party, was the one that erected the so-called cancha back in the days. But I just want to say they gave me a fine piece of paper to read, you know. But at the end of the day, it’s something that flows from the heart. Something that I believe that everyone in this room has the right to enjoy, has the right to protect, and also has a right for the benefits, the economical benefits of this. So it is upon you to continue what we have started, what we have delivered. If we don’t love ourselves, we will not love this. We need to love ourselves first.”

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Tourism Nicole Solano stated that the development marks an important step for the village, positioning it as more attractive tourism destination.

Nicole Usher, CEO, Ministry of Tourism: “It’s hard to imagine that in such a short time, we would have a facility of such beauty and a space for the community to be able to get up and share in all of the cultural dynamics of Succotz. So it’s really, really amazing. What’s the link between that and tourism? Well, of course Cayo is one of the most important destinations for tourism in Belize. People come here all the time, people come to visit Xunantunich but do they come to just visit Mayan temples? No, they come here to connect with the people. They want to come in here. I know that a lot of people are coming in. There are some beautiful restaurants in the area and they want to come in and they want to not only meet you, but they want to share in the beautiful culture of this community. And this space is created so that we can share that with our visitors. They’re here to connect, and they’re here to connect so that they can learn more as well about themselves. More and more travelers are looking for those kinds of things they want to come, they want to enjoy Belize. And really and truly they go out there and they talk to their families, they talk to their friends, and they come back to Belize over and over and over again. So what are we doing within the Ministry of Tourism and the Belize Tourism Board to ensure that our visitors are comfortable, that things are convenient for them, that they’re safe. We’re creating and investing in facilities like this one throughout the country. Some of you might be familiar with, for example, if you go to Cancun, there’s such a thing as the hotel zone. Is there a zone for tourism in Belize? There is no zone. Everywhere in Belize is open for tourists. Everywhere in Belize, visitors want to connect and we promote that as an authentic experience. So we have to put the investments in place in order for them to be safe, comfortable, and have the conveniences that they’re looking for.”

The village’s council will be tasked with maintaining the facility.