A New Welcome Center for Seine Bight

Seine Bight Village celebrated the grand opening of its new visitor’s center on Sunday. The friendly staff at this newly inaugurated facility are ready to offer personalized recommendations and answer any questions, ensuring each visitor’s experience is unique and enjoyable. At the opening ceremony, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler, Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson, and Village Chairman Jose Aleman were in attendance. They highlighted the rich cultural significance of this charming seaside community. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

A brand-new welcome center for visitors, including those exploring the Placencia Peninsula, has just opened its doors in Seine Bight Village. This newly constructed building is a treasure trove of information, offering tourists maps, brochures, and all the details they need about local attractions, events, and activities. The coastal community is renowned for its vibrant Garifuna culture, making it a perfect spot for cultural tourism.

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“Seine Bight is a community full of rich traditions where the Garifuna culture thrives on the philosophy of “I for you and you for me” continues to guide us.  Inspired by the spirit, our team worked together with Minister Ferguson, Chairman Aleman, Seine Bight Village Council to turn this entire area into a place of cultural expression and community growth.  This project shows our government’s commitment to a type of tourism that is exclusive, responsible and sustainable.  Priorities outlined in the updated National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan that is our bible and that guides our development for tourism and for Belize.  For Seine Bight, it reflects the growing worldwide interest in cultural tourism which is one of the fastest growing segments of the industry.”

 

According to Village Chairman Jose Aleman, the journey to creating the welcome center began with a simple phone call and a decision to relocate the police station. That spot then became the perfect site for the new building.

 

Jose Aleman, Chairman, Seine Bight Village

“A phone call that would lead the Minister of Tourism among community members of Seine Bight and village council members, that landed right at the front here where we had the old police station and rest house.  A tour was given of the community and the minister saw the need for a transformation and a transition to take place in our community.  Without any delay, recommendations came in likewise.  We want to build a culture house concept here, but what will we do with the police station?”

The police station was eventually moved to another location in the village, freeing up the vacant lot for this new facility. Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson acknowledges the cultural significance and rich history of Seine Bight, making this welcome center a valuable addition to the community.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep, Stann Creek West

“Seine Bight is the only cultural community on the peninsula and to be very frank and honest, the Garifuna community has gained significant recognition from across the country of Belize.  I was in Dangriga Town last Tuesday for the Nineteenth celebration and when I looked at the parade, the parade included people from all over the country because they want to be a part of Garifuna Settlement Day. I think the cultural activities on this peninsula, in Seine Bight in particular, could draw the attention of all your guests to come and visit this cultural center because what I think is planned and proposed then there will be cultural activities in Seine Bight almost every single day and your guests will appreciate and want to come and visit this community.”

 

Board member Arreini Palacio-Morgan represented the National Institute of Culture and History at the event. In her presentation, she highlighted the shared vision of NICH and the Belize Tourism Board, emphasizing their commitment to preserving the country’s rich history and diverse cultures.

 

Arreini Palacio-Morgan, Board Member, NICH

“At NICH, our approach to cultural action is to focus more on developing the impact that creativity and heritage has on our people.  We at NICH have a strong relationship with the Belize Tourism Board, having collaborated on quite a few successful activities and projects.  We share BTB’s mandate to amplify Belize to the world, so that when visitors come to experience the essence of Belize they get a deep-dive sense as to who we really are: what we eat, what we love and value and how we create and do things.  We see the opening of this welcome space as a rich cultural example, a snapshot of who we are, a place to capture and proudly display not just the tangible cultural heritage, but also the intangible that makes us the creative south.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.