Sustainable tourism:

The road towards a

greener future
Kheyla Innis
 Environmental

What is sustainability involves

making responsible choices
that ensure the long-term
sustainable health of our planet.

tourism? tourism that takes full account of its

current and future economic, social
and environmental impacts, addressing
the needs of visitors, the industry, the
environment and host communities
 No to offshore oil
Started in the mid 2000's
2010-toxic oil spill in the gulf of Mexico
2011-Belize Coalition to Save Our National Heritage
2012, the coalition harnessed public sentiment to force a national referendum on
offshore oil
People’s Referendum
December 2015, hope flickered but October 12, 2016, Oceana received an
alarming phone tip
In August 2017-indefinite moratorium
Bill introducted December 9 2017
December 30 the moratorium became law
Ways to promote
sustainability
 it's time to take action!
While conducting this research I did not expect to learn as much as I did; I thought I already knew a great deal
about Belize and its efforts in sustainable tourism. I enjoyed finding the many different ways Belize has
implemented to go green. They have even involved the youth of Belize with many art competitions that
encourage ways to recycle-reuse-reduce. I have also participated in some myself, for example; i was in a
competition in highschool where we were presenting making plates and bowls out of compressed banana leaves,
another was a classroom decorating competition where we could only use recycled material and many more that
has should me when we try to be creative we can use all those things that we would usually consider trash. I was
recently a part of a shoreline clean up hosted by CEMJC and Oceana, we collected trash from around Mangrove
park and along the water's edge. I have also seen many people doing the same. I saw some people turning old tires
into pot for plants, I also saw people donating clothes that they weren’t using, schools have also encouraged
reusing for costume making events. I hope to encourage more to join the efforts in making Belize a sustainable
country. As a tourism student I hope that when I join the workforce I make an impact towards the sustainability of
our country. For now, I plan to still participate in clean-ups and at home recycling projects. I want to do my part in
making Belize better since every little part counts in the long run. Even if it is one by one we can all do our parts in
being sustainable not only in the tourism industry but also in our private lives.
 References
Eco Tourism – Sustainable Tourism Practices In Belize. (2023, April 13). Belize.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from
https://belize.com/eco/
Oceana Announces Petition Drive to Trigger Referendum. (n.d.). Oceana Belize. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from
https://belize.oceana.org/press-releases/oceana-announces-petition-drive-to-trigger-referendum/
Protected Areas of Belize. (n.d.). Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from
https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/protected-areas-of-belize/
Raherinjatovo, N., & De Burca, J. (n.d.). Belize Sustainable Tourism Guide 2023. Travel Inspires. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from
https://travelinspires.org/belize-sustainable-tourism-guide-2023/
Single Use Plastics – Department of the Environment. (n.d.). Department of the Environment. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from
https://doe.gov.bz/single-use-plastics/
Sustainability. (n.d.). Travel Belize. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://www.travelbelize.org/sustainability/
Usher, A. (2022, September 30). No More Plastics - How Belize Backed Its Pledge To Reduce Single-Use Plastic. Oceana Belize.
Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://belize.oceana.org/blog/no-more-plastics-how-belize-backed-its-pledge-to-reduce-single-
use-plastic/