Belize - Ecotourism

Question 1

what was the governments aim?

Answer 1

to make conservation and tourism synonymous by promoting ecotourism.

Question 2

4 main aims:

Answer 2

1. meet the needs of local people.
2. small scale projects where possible under Belize ownership.
3. Focus on safeguarding the natural environment.
4. Respecting traditional social fabric.

Question 3

why did the government limit tourism until 1993?

Answer 3

to reduce the foreign impact.

lack of sustainable infrastructure.

Question 4

When did the government limit tourism until?

Answer 4

1993

Question 5

how many tourists in 1995?

Answer 5

130,000

Question 6

how many tourists in 2017?

Answer 6

430,000

Question 7

how many tourists in 2011?

Answer 7

250,000

Question 8

describe the increase in tourists between 1995 and 2017.

Answer 8

1995 - 130,000
2011 - 250,000
2017 - 430,000

Question 9

what percentage of tourists are from the US?

Answer 9

65%

Question 10

climate?

Answer 10

sub-tropical

Question 11

natural attractions of Belize? (3)

Answer 11

1. coral barrier reef.
2. 450 cayes ( low lying islands ). - scuba divers
3. Maya mountains + tropical rainforest. - wildlife.

Question 12

how much of the country has been designated as a nature reserve? and what is the benefit of this?

Answer 12

1/4

preventing slash and burn + logging.

Question 13

give an example of a nature reserve there?

Answer 13

Hol Chan Marine Reserve - on Ambergis Caye to protect coral.

Question 14

what part of the market has focus been on?

Answer 14

the elite market

Question 15

benefits of focusing on the elite market:

Answer 15

fewer visitors, higher spending, tailor made holidays.

Question 16

private reserves such as the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary have been set up by who?

Answer 16

the private sector - through NGOs

Question 17

What % of GDP from US? by how much?

Answer 17

16% - $300Million

Question 18

describe Cocksomb reserve:

Answer 18

Preserves 100 threatened jaguars.

Question 19

what is BETA?

Answer 19

Belize Ecotourism Association

Question 20

when was BETA established?

Answer 20

1993

Question 21

what was established in 1993?

Answer 21

BETA

Question 22

what is BTIA?

Answer 22

Belize Tourism Industry Association

Question 23

who do BETA work closely with?

Answer 23

BTIA and Ministry of Tourism and the Environment.

Question 24

how many jobs does ecotourism in Belize provide?

Answer 24

20,186

Question 25

how many of overall jobs in Belize are linked to tourism?

Answer 25

1 in 8

Question 26

problem with conservation areas?

Answer 26

some lack coordinated and purposeful planning.

Question 27

example of a conservation area that lacks coordination:

how large is it?

Answer 27

Rio Brava - 200,000 acres

Question 28

what % of recent developments are foreign owned?

Answer 28

90%

Question 29

evidence of environmental degradation: (5)

Answer 29

1. damage to coral at How Chan Marine Reserve - snorkelers and divers.
2. overfishing to meet tourist market - declining stock of lobster + conchs.
3. coastal mangrove swamp belt drained and infilled for development.
4. part of Caye Caulker Caye levelled to make landing strip. - destroying nesting grounds - threatening local water supply.
5. unsupervised groups visiting nature reserves. - damage.

Question 30

who causes damage at How Chan Marine reserve?

Answer 30

snorkelers + divers.

Question 31

what evidence is there for overfishing?

Answer 31

declining stocks in lobster and conchs.

Question 32

degradation to mangrove swamps due to…?

Answer 32

draining and filling in of parts of the mangrove belt for development.

Question 33

degradation to Caye Caulker caye as a result of ….?

threats included?

Answer 33

being levelled to make a landing strip.

• threat to local water supply
• damage to wildlife + nesting sites

Question 34

disadvantage of unsupervised groups in the nature reserves?

Answer 34

damage the ecology.