Lesbian “voluntouristas” headed for Belize
Posted: 23/10/2009 - 10:23 AM
Author: Adele Ramos - adelescribe@gmail.com
Since the uproar over the gay cruise coming ashore to Belize in the late 1990’s, many others have come and gone without much attention, but a new lesbian group coming under the name “Sweet Caribbean Cruise”, a US-based company, in November, wants to attract media attention to the added dimension of “volunteerism” in their tour.
Meaghan Zore, account coordinator, Cause+Effect, Inc., informed us of the tour Wednesday, and has invited the media to cover their arrival in Belize City on Thursday, November 11.
“As part of the Sweet Caribbean Cruise this November, this new company will be offering its guests the chance to do more than just see the sights - it will be organizing volunteer projects that are designed to help each of the different communities that they’ll visit,” said Zore, via e-mail.
“In Belize, Sweet’s volunteers will help create a children’s story time corner and mini-library in an underprivileged school, and help brighten the pediatric ward by painting cartoon characters, glow stars and spreading cheer throughout a local hospital’s children’s ward,” Zore further highlighted.
Their local contact is Canadian Denise Oxley, who retired in Belize 4 years ago.
Amandala has learned that the Belize Tourism Board had not been advised of the lesbian tour coming to Belize. While authorities do not ban gay cruises or gay tourists, they generally warn guests of the laws of Belize, and explain that there should be no public displays of affection by gay partners or indecent exposure. Those are the requirements, a BTB official explained.
The 7-day Western Caribbean tour takes place from November 8 to 15, 2009, as Sweet takes over the entire Norwegian Spirit, said the company’s website. That vessel can fit 2,500 tourists.
The tour spans New Orleans in the US, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize City in Belize, and Roatan in Honduras.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|