Local newspapers are reporting that Royal Caribbean has submitted a proposal to the Belize government for the construction of a cruise ship terminal and shopping center in the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. There has been speculation for some time about this proposal which is being vigorously opposed by residents and hotel owners in the area that do not care for the idea of thousands of day tourists trampling around the peaceful and pristine southern part of Belize.

In a newspaper interview the CEO of the government controlled Belize Tourism Board Michael Singh confirmed that “Government has received a proposal from an investment group including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for development of a low density tourism village on the southern point of Placencia Village”.

Public hearings to listen to the concerns of area residents and hotel investors are scheduled for the end of August. The Belize Tourism Industry Association, BTIA, which is made up of local tourism interests has already stated its opposition to bringing cruise tourism to the area. A published reported quotes a recent survey by the Placencia branch of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) indicating that a majority of the respondents don’t want a cruise port there.

The Belize Tourism Board is currently embroiled in another controversy, this with FECTAB – the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations Belize over the government’s decision to allow Carnival Cruise Lines to allow a foreign tour operator to run tours in Belize.