Why April 2019 Is A Big Month For Belize And The Lodge At Chaa Creek
During April 2019 Belize is tripling the size of its protected maritime areas and phasing out single-use plastic bags, Styrofoam containers and other environmentally harmful products in another example of the little Caribbean country's national commitment to sustainable development, according to popular eco-resort The Lodge at Chaa Creek.
SAN IGNACIO, Belize, April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As Belize begins phasing out single use plastic bags, utensils and Styrofoam containers on 22 April 2019, The Lodge at Chaa Creek's owners reflect on the little Caribbean Central American country's rise as a global model for sustainable development.
Chaa Creek founding owners Mick and Lucy Fleming said all Belizeans should be proud that, since achieving independence in 1981, just as Chaa Creek opened as the new nation's first eco-resort, Belize "stayed the course towards sustainable development."
Ms Fleming said that in addition to the plastic ban, April also saw the announcement that Belize is set to triple the size of protected areas within her territorial waters.
Coming on the heels of a moratorium on oil exploration and drilling on the Belize Great Barrier Reef, a ban on commercial fish trawling, moves to increase protection of the country's ancient Maya artefacts, and other initiatives, Belize is proving that sustainable development can be successful.
Sustainability, Ms Fleming explained, was built into Belize's development since independence.
"As a new, cash-poor nation transitioning from farming and fishing to a tourism-based economy, there were obviously many temptations to exploit natural resources and take other avenues to quickly increase revenue.
"It speaks volumes that Belizeans and their elected officials choose to develop a sustainable tourism industry driven by smaller, grassroots, mom and pop type businesses. And now we're enjoying the benefits of a sustainable tourism industry that safeguards the environment while supporting local communities," Ms Fleming said.
Belize is also benefitting from the growing trend towards responsible travel. More and more, today's travellers are choosing destinations that show a commitment to sustainable tourism, she explained.
According to Bookings.com, "more than two-thirds (68%) of travelers intend to stay in an eco-accommodation in 2018,
reassuringly up from 65% in 2017 and 62% in 2016."
In 2017, National Geographic reported, "Family-owned properties, capitalizing on the travellers' desire to make deep, local connections, will become an even bigger draw in the upcoming year", while 58% of Condé Nast Traveler readers surveyed said they choose a hotel based on whether the hotel gives back to local people and the planet.
Ms Fleming said Chaa Creek's success as a Green destination supports those findings, and, as an added benefit, attracts the sort of visitor she, her family and staff enjoy hosting.
"Responsible travellers are generally interesting, and interested in what we're doing. For example, they might enjoy visiting the Maya Organic Garden that supplies our restaurant, and may ask to help harvest some of the produce that they'll find on their plates that night.
"They are also more inclined to take part in our cultural tours and village visits, which benefits local communities and enhances communication and understanding between local Belizeans and visitors.
"These are the sorts of benefits sustainable tourism brings to both visitors and the host countries, and makes our work so satisfying," Ms Fleming said.
The Flemings began Chaa Creek as a small farm on the banks of the Macal River in the 1970s and began hosting guests who tricked into western Belize after Independence. Determined to have an environmentally sustainable business that supported their neighbouring villages and communities, Mick and Lucy embraced eco-tourism and became Belize's first Green Globe certified business, over the years attaining "Gold" status and this year receiving what the global certification body described as "a magnificent compliance score of 93%."
Chaa Creek has been recognised with numerous honours, including a first place World Legacy Award by National Geographic and with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Flemings by the Belize Tourism Board.
The Flemings say that while they appreciate the recognition, their greatest achievement is closely linked with Belize and Belizeans.
"At the end of the day, Chaa Creek is a reflection of a national respect for, and love of the environment. Belizeans have for centuries depended on the land and each other for survival. You see this in the national respect and love for the environment, and in expressions that emphasise cooperation, like 'hand wash hand.'
"So it's only natural that this spirit applied to the development of the Belize tourism industry. And what is really gratifying is how the rest of the world is attracted to and supports this Green ethos.
"To see how tourism lifted Belize's standard of living has been wonderful. But to see it as a force for good in the world is more rewarding than words can express," Ms Fleming said.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a multi-award winning eco resort set within a 400-acre private nature reserve along the banks of the Macal River in Belize. It was recognised by National Geographic with first place honours at the 2017 World Legacy Awards held in Berlin.
SOURCE The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Share this article