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Joined: Apr 2000
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While the growing Corozal free Zone continues to boost the economy of Northern Belize, a new tourism project adjoining the zone promises to make the area a Mecca for more than just shoppers looking for bargain liquor and gasoline. The Galeria Maya Project, located on the waters of Four-Miles Lagoon, centres around the construction of a complex of hotels, casinos and upscale shopping malls. President of the Galeria Maya Consortium, former Minister of Tourism Glenn Godfrey, says that the new venture will bring more jobs for Belizeans and much needed foreign exchange.
Glenn Godfrey, Pres., Galeria Maya Consortium "It is a strip modeled off the Las Vegas model, which seeks not only to provide gaming, but to provide a mixture of activity that will provide that will appeal to the entire family. So we'll have amusement park like for the kids, we'll have shopping for those people who like to shop, we'll have gaming and of course we'll have restaurants, water sports, golf, activities for everybody."
Ann-Marie Williams "These are upscale goods particularly where shopping is concerned, it will be better quality stuff than in the actual free zone now? Elaborate a bit.
Glenn Godfrey "Well we don't want to compete with the market that present people in the zone are catering to. We think that that market is saturated and they're doing a good job at what they do. We are looking at a different market, an upper scale market, the people who want to buy Gucci and all the name brands."
"We'll have five hotels in all with casinos and shopping malls. The first project is the first hotel with the shopping mall, casino and an entertainment centre. Also the Four Mile Lagoon is very, very beautiful, it's a sinkhole, a cave collapse and filled with water and connected out to the river, so it's beautiful. Belizeans have been going there a long time to enjoy it. Under the existing law Belizeans will not be able to go into the zone to shop."
Ann-Marie Williams "Instead of selling only the idea of the casino, you're looking to sell the experience now, so when people come across by boat, will we see maybe a little cruise section, because they could come across regularly."
Glenn Godfrey "Yes. They will be able to come by boat and there's a significant advantage to them returning by boat because it will double the amount that they can take back duty free from one hundred and fifty dollars U.S. to three hundred dollars. Of course it's part of the experience like you said. And that area is very beautiful, when you go to the river there are alligators and beautiful birds, and we'll work to preserve that."
Godfrey says that ground will be broken on May twenty-seventh for the first of the project's five hotels. The entire project is scheduled for completion in eighteen months.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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Jesse! Very interesting news. When it says Belizeans can not go to the zone does that mean they can not go to the new Resort area either? That would be sad. How about Americans and Europeans that have Belizian Permanent Residency? Can they also not go to that new Resort area?
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Joined: Nov 2000
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Tell me if I am reading this right. The government will make that very beautiful lagoon many Belizeans are now enjoying off limits for them and only allow foreigners there. If that is the case this is just wrong! I would be pissed if I would be Belizean. Let me see. How would I feel if the government would build a very nice, fun Resort/Shopping area on the lake in Germany where I have gone every summer weekend with my parents sailing and only alow Italians, Austrians and everyone else to go there. That is like steeling from the people of Belize. There is got to be a better way to do this.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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What about the4 massive complex planned for Ambergris? Imagine how the island will change. Check this out at: http://www.turq.com/belizefirst/current.html or see my pasting of the information: MEGA RESORT PLANNED FOR NORTH AMBERGRIS Ambergris Caye, already Belize's top tourist destination, may get 500 more hotel rooms. Two luxury hotels, at least one of which may be managed by Hyatt, have been announced for Punta Azul on North Ambergris Caye. One hotel would have about 300 rooms and would target the meeting and conventions market; the other, at around 200 rooms, would be a luxury property targeting individual travelers. Some equity funding for the project reportedly would come from developer Rochamel Development Company Ltd., a British firm. Hyatt already operates several resorts in the Caribbean, including ones in Aruba, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts and St. Lucia. Rochamel Construction built the 300-room Hyatt Regency St. Lucia. The Belize government says it will float an international bond issue to finance part of the development costs. Critics expressed surprise, noting that the era of government-financed hotels ended with the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries. They also say the Belize government's track record in hotels isn't too good; it lost its investment in the Ramada/Fiesta Inn in Belize City when that hotel, now the Princess Hotel & Casino, went belly up. Opening date for the Ambergris Caye hotels and other details, such as how guests would get to the hotels on the north end of the island, are as yet unknown. Ambergris Caye currently has about 65 hotels. Currently the island's largest hotel is Journey's End, with 90 rooms, and most properties have fewer than 25 rooms. If the mega resort had been open when Hurricane Keith hit the island, it likely would have suffered significant damage, as did a number of existing properties on North Ambergris.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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This is OLD NEWS. It cratered before it even got started.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Hey folks...I'm trying to get an International number for Glenn Godfrey..or a number in the States..anyone have it? With over 18 years building and renovating homes and commercial sites here in the states, I'm interested in bringing my knowledge to Belize... I'm also a PC tech (Certified) and very experienced in Network Cableing and Telephone Systems... I've done serveral Large projects here in the States..both in the PC integration field and Hotel network/phone wireing side. Anyone seeking such talent please contact me at [email protected]
Life May Be a Beach...I prefer Reefs...
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 8,868
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Glenn Godfrey= 011 501 23 3530
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,205
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Thanks alot Jesse...you da man! will let ya know how it turns out....
Life May Be a Beach...I prefer Reefs...
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