1 week ago
8
San Antonio Village in the Cayo District has been selected to pilot a tourism initiative, giving residents a direct role in shaping how tourism develops in their community. The project, led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, will build on the village’s Maya heritage, natural attractions and existing eco-museum model. Preparatory work began in 2022, before the regional project launched in 2025 across eight SICA countries. San Antonio is Belize’s pilot community, with an action plan now set to guide its tourism development through 2028. Marvia Corina Dubon, Program Officer at JICA Belize, says the work starts with the attractions and experiences the village already offers.
The goal goes beyond attracting more visitors. The plan will help residents develop tourism products and build the skills needed to manage their destination, while giving them a say in its growth. The village council, residents and tourism stakeholders will work together to carry out the plan with the aim to create lasting tourism opportunities that protect San Antonio’s cultural and natural assets and bring benefits to the people who live there.
English (US) ·