from a long time san pedro resident:
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Regarding Wendy's article and statement about the BTIA, I have been working
on my recollection of the BTIA in the 90's. Today's BTIA may be very
different and Wendy would know more about this. I assume she is a member? I
am trying to read between the lines of the BTIA's statement and Wendy's
article and am not sure what is going on. I seems to me that a national
organization should be supported by regional entities and the Marine
Terminal seems to be taken over by a regional entity.

In the 90's when USAID money stopped flowing, the chamber (BCCI) was
deserted by much of the management due to financial problems. There were a
number of allegations at that time. Not sure if they ever were resolved. I
did not mean to say that the BCCI was defunct, simply evolved into a
different organization. At that time, sustainability was very important at
the BTIA and a number of steps were taken to insure that, one of which was
the Marine Terminal. If I recall correctly money was invested by the BTIA,
etc. The chamber at that time seemed to be caught by surprise with little
future planning and as a result went through some trying times. Of course,
both organizations may have changed in the last five years.

I have always felt that the BTIA was one of the most important functions of
the private tourism sector and a needed balance to the BTB. The current
controversy is lamentable. I hope it can be resolved to the benefit of
tourism/the country.