“I think the tourism representatives may be able to speak directly to that issue. From the very onset of those negotiations, it was clear that the NCL ships will be sent down south that would create some opportunity for the southern region of Belize.As you know that is the most impoverish in terms of opportunities. And so, I am not sure what negotiations FECTAB had, if any, with NCL in terms of being facilitators of tours here in the Belize District. I know that there are a number of tour operators and tour guides in the south who have prepared themselves to benefit from the NCL project in that area. But I don’t have the finer details and I think the tourism representatives can add some more value to that discussion.”–Minister of State Tracy Panton

Based on the level of data made public, I could certainly appreciate why FECTAB members would be alarmed at the “recent” developments as it pertains to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)’s Harvest Caye project and the potentially negative impacts it could have on FECTAB members’ revenues.

Nevertheless, this, in my opinion, is what happens when there are a couple of things absent from the public sphere: (a) a large news consumer base that incentivizes the media to keep these types of issues in the fore, (b) limited appreciation of the truly competitive and fluid nature of business, and (c) requisite communication (including listening) skills, preparation and negotiating skills from some key public and private-sector stakeholders.

Why do I say this? Because, I could think back to 2013 when I was still in the media and this issue came up regarding NCL and whether or NOT it would divert ships down south to Harvest Caye. I’m glad that 7News went back to archive footage this week. Because from at least three years ago, one needed to “listen carefully” to what was actually being said.