Yhony Rosado Calls for Fair Treatment of Small Tour Operators

During his almost two-hour press conference, Rosado clamored about what he says is an unfair treatment of tour operators. The tour operator claims that the current tender process used by the cruise lines is ineffective and gives a preference to the larger tour operators. Rosado says that there are several aspects of the tendering process that is causing a financial burden for small tour operators.

Yhony Rosado, Businessman: “We have a problem with the tendering issue. The cruise ship brings 4000 minimum now, 4400, 4500, 4900 passengers per ship per day. The number one problem we’re having here it is the timing. They are supposed to be here from 8:00 until 5:00 but we have Central Time they have American time, we have eastern time, they have western time with all the time they are going back 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM. As a country our time is our time. From 8:00 to 5:00 if you say you are working in Belize from 8:00 to 5:00 it is eight to five. You are not going to bring a European time, an American time and a Canadian time here. This is Belize time and so I think our government and Belize Tourism Board they are failing big time complying with the cruise timing because we do not have time to go and enjoy yourself with the tourist or the American guests who are supposed to be enjoying our flora and fauna, our Shark Ray Alley and our beautiful Maya temples. If you go to any of the sites they are being messed up come on they are being used up, they are being abandoned. The only ones who use our sites are the number one well connected tour companies that can go to Miami come on to Texas, to Florida to get a contract.” 

Love News reached out to the Director of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Evan Tillett, who stated that the BTB would be providing a full update on the cruise tourism industry that paints an accurate picture of the current situation. Tillett also stated that Rosado is yet to reach out to him, the BTB’s Cruise Director, or anyone at the BTB.