Martinez Says Beachfront Project Will Welcome Locals and Tourists

According to Martinez, the two-and-a-half-acre property, in which he is also an investor, is being developed into a tourist destination, one that he says will cater to both Belizeans and international visitors. While many residents are upset about losing access to a space they’ve enjoyed for decades, Martinez insists that the sixty-six-foot beachfront reserve remains open to the public, by boat.

 

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Contractor

“There will be a masterplan for here and we will follow all the processes in terms of the masterplan, for tourism.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“So you’re developing this piece of land for a tourism activity, a tourism business?”

 

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez

“Tourism activity, both locally and internationally. And, apart from that, da something weh wahn benefit the locals because the investors, some ah mi partners di she, da only like, ih wah be like five to eight dollars fi Belizean adults fi come een ya. Ih wahn got like a bouncy house water slide, everything. Children da dollar or soh, a dollar or two or sohting like that. They take into consideration also, too, that part of the property, access… you have access to the sea which belongs to government, which we believe that people have the right to use. Like, for example, this is a private property. You have the right to use the reserve, but the only thing is that you have to come by boat, nothing wrong with that.”