Ecotourism in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America; it is about the same size as Massachusetts in the USA or equally of similar size to Wales in the UK. The country has for many years been actively trying to raise its image from a poor undeveloped one into one at the forefront of the growing market in Ecotourism. With a solid approach to the forward thinking behind this industry Belize has slowly emerged as a 'must see' destination for many travellers seeking something a little different on their vacation.

With the highest percentage of its land mass given over to its natural reserves and parks (higher than any other country on the planet) puts Belize right up among the leaders in this type of tourism.

BETA

BETA stands for the Belize Eco-Tourism Association. This body was set up on Earth Day in 1993. It was originally created by a small group of Belizean citizens concerned with immigration issues. Since it was first introduced this association has worked closely alongside the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). The main area this association covers is the promoting of environmentally responsible tourism, helping to promote pollution prevention awareness and also to educate the people of Belize on the country's environmental concerns.

Barrier Reef

Belize is home to the second longest barrier reef in the world, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, second only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. The coral reef off Belize's coastline has been attracting divers and snorkelers for many years. The increasing popularity of this natural attraction is both a welcome source of income for many as well as a worry for conservationists. Concern for the long term effect of possible damage to the delicate coral of the reef is a key element in the education process of conservation. Many dive companies will give lectures on how best to avoid accidently damaging the fragile ecosystem of the reef before you are even permitted to enter into the dive boat.

Wilderness Areas

If hiking or exploring the many miles of jungle or tropical forest areas of Belize is your way of enjoying the countryside it is best undertaken with an experienced local guide. Some protected areas of park or reserve land will only permit tour groups with an experienced local host. This is for the protection of both the habitat from visitors, as well as the safe return of those visitors.

Protected Sites and Species

I was first fortunate enough to visit Belize more than 30 years ago; at that time a market existed for the few visitors mainly through the illegal selling of black coral. This is one process that has now largely been stopped, the damaged caused to the reef by this practice had caused some irreversible damage. Belizean authorities have since passed many laws to protect the country's protected or endangered plants and species.

Belize has a large number of ancient Mayan temples, many only in recent years undergoing extensive archaeological excavations. Many organisations now conduct official digs of these ancient sites, all the recovered artefacts are in storage and plans are underway for a national museum in Belmopan (the capital of Belize) in which to house these antiquities.

Sources- personal knowledge

Various eco-tourist agencies throughout Belize

http://www.sidsnet.org/eco-tourism/beta.html

http://www.belizex.com/

http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/ecotours/belize/

http://www.chaacreek.com/conservation/