Earlier this year, the making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites was launched. The project is being executed under the Belize Rural Development Program Two, with counterpart funding from the European Union with co-financing from the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, represented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute for Culture and History. As part of this initiative an all-terrain vehicle was handed over to the Institute of Archaeology today. According to the project coordinator, Ian Morrison, the ATV will assist with monitoring upcoming infrastructure improvements at indicated sites.
IAN MORRISON, Project Coordinator, MTBCAAS
“We are here today to hand over an ATV that will be a major contribution to the health and safety especially at the cave sites we have at the moment. It will be based at the Caves Branch where we have the highest visitations and it will be used for the monitoring of the infrastructure works throughout the cave sites and wherever we think is necessary but mainly at Caves Branch but also it will assist in the rescue efforts at these sites should the need arise. This ATV is a 2013 500CC vehicle; it’s very big and we must warn that the riders and drivers of this vehicle must exercise caution. In addition to the ATV, we have made some adjustments because we know that the terrain will be difficult and rugged so, we have added a 3500 pound wench to the front with a fifteen metre rope that will assist in the event that the driver gets into any difficulty; there’s a facility in the back where they can hitch a trailer in the event they need to move any injured persons they can do so with minimal further injury to that person.”
VALDEMAR ANDRADE, Dir., Tours & Regional Initiatives, BTB
“In terms of safety and standards for archaeological sites are very important because it creates the best visitor experience you can have; us putting in infrastructure are for visitors and it doesn’t mean only foreigners but Belizeans as well because they can come assured that there is safety and some kind of standards that will be upheld within these.”
ABIN CASTAÑEDA, Chief Tourism Officer, MOT
“I do think that this is a great addition to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture family and to NICH as well; I am sure that after riding around a few times, NICH will request BRDP and the ministry to provide additional ATVs and it looks really nice and exciting.”
DIANE HAYLOCK, President NICH
“It took us a long time to get to this stage but in my mind it really was possible because of the strong support that we have had from our Ministry as well as those people who did all the hard work in getting there.”
The handing over ceremony was held at the Museum Building in the City of Belmopan. The Making Tourism benefit communities that are adjacent to archaeological site project is scheduled to be completed by November of 2014.