Focus On

Tourism isn't going to go away, but how can we try to care for places and still have a great holiday?

Let's take a look at Belize, a small country in Central America that has been trying to do just that. The people of Belize are trying to develop tourism differently so that it is sustainable . They are trying to keep the country's visitors happy without causing lasting damage to the people and environment of Belize. This way, you, your children and your children's children can enjoy the country!

Meet Hector, Bernardo, Fernando and Oscar, four brothers in the De La Fuente family who live in the Cayo District of Belize.

Simon Scoones/Worldaware.

Click on the picture to find out who they are...

Simon Scoones/Worldaware.

"Hi, I'm Bernardo. We are very proud of our country, and we welcome tourists who come here on holiday. Most of Belize is still covered with tropical forests and along the coast we have some of the world's best coral reefs. But all this will be ruined unless we have laws to protect our environment.

Hector: To save the coral reefs, an underwater nature reserve called Hol Chan was created. This 8km² area has strict rules for the 22,000 visitors who come to explore this underwater paradise each year. Boatmen have to use buoys instead of anchors so the coral is not damaged.

Roderick Johnson/Panos Pictures | Simon Scoones/Worldware

Belize has some rare wildlife too. Do you know what manatees are?

Simon Scoones/Worldaware

Bernardo: Belize is one of the last places on earth where you can find manatees. They are animals that live amongst the flooded mangrove forests along the coast. In the past, many manatees were injured or killed when boat propellers hit them. Now all motorised boats are banned in the waters where the manatees live. Instead, manatees have become a tourist attraction, and they often come to the surface to greet their visitors!

How do the people of Belize raise enough money to protect these places?

Every visitor to Belize pays a 'conservation tax' of about �20 when they leave the country. They also have to pay an entrance fee to any of the protected areas. The money from this can be used to maintain the protected areas and to employ park rangers.

Bernardo: We also try to make sure tourism helps the people of Belize. Our Mum works here, a place called Clarissa Falls, which is a different type of hotel. Unlike some of those ugly high-rise hotels that ruin the view, visitors to Clarissa Falls can stay in cabins that are locally made and blend into the surrounding scenery. Lots of the local people got jobs building them.

Fernando: At Clarissa Falls, we welcome our guests as part of the family. In the evening, we eat together with our guests. This way, we can learn a little about life in other countries, and we can share some stories about our culture and history.

Simon Scoones/Worldaware.

Simon Scoones/Worldaware.

Bernardo: Some of our guests even try to beat Fernando and me at a game of cards!

What other types of wildlife can be found in Belize?

Oscar: You could also meet some of Jack's friends, like this keel-billed toucan, one of the 533 types of birds that live here.

Michael Sewell/Still Pictures.

Thanks Bernardo, Hector, Fernando and Oscar for telling us a little about your country. I hope you continue to welcome tourists and still keep Belize such a beautiful place to live in, and maybe encourage other places to try and do the same.