The Stuff of Legend
The Battle of St. George’s Caye is the stuff of legend. As the notes from history record it, the first attempt by the Spanish to take St. George’s Caye happened on September 3, 1798. Unsuccessful, the Spanish fleet would launch successive attempts with their fleet of 32 vessels, manned by 500 seamen and two thousand soldiers. The battle that started on the 3rdwould last until September 10th. There was a great defeat, and the Spaniards never came back. From the Bay of Honduras, a British Lieutenant-Colonel would send word to Jamaica that the settlers had been attacked by a flotilla but that “the armament had been repulsed and the expedition entirely frustrated”. The British had secured its control and presence in the territory, and with it, the future of our modern day Belize was also secured. One hundred years later, on the 26th of August 1898, the 10th of September was officially observed as a Public Holiday. Since then, Belizeans have only ever known peace; however, that is not to say that we have not had and fought other battles.
With our nationalist movement emerging in the 1950s, we fought a long battle for our independence from Great Britain. Perhaps it was fate that ensured that our Independence would come in the same month as the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Since securing our own government, flag, and constitution, we have fought to carve a place for ourselves in the world. Over the last 43 years, Belize has had many social and economic battles. These days, the tourism industry plays a pivotal role in helping to ensure stability and victory on the economic, social, and cultural fronts. This year the tourism industry is projected to generate around $1.4 billion in revenue as it remains the second largest industry in the overall economy. This industry is manned by more than more than 25,000 jobs across 2,200 establishments. With industry stakeholders as allies, the battle to establish Belize as a premier and competitive eco-tourism destination is being won. Just take the post-COVID 19 recovery numbers as evidence. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is captaining the ship, and so far it has steered the industry into numerous victories. Following the pandemic crash, the tourism industry has seen increased overnight visitor arrivals, improved overall occupancy, more cruise ship calls and visitors, improved airlift capacity and routes to connect Belize to the world, more and better trained industry workers, tourism product expansion, and more global recognition by established travel media and magazines. The work to improve Belize’s standing in the global tourism market will continue year after year because some battles are never quite over.
Our tourism industry is a major part of our arsenal as we age as a country and continue to cement our place in the world. When the Spanish decided to attack on September 3rd 1798, we had three ships: Swinger, Towser and Teaser. They had a fleet. Baymen, Buccaneers, and the enslaved fought side by side to defend this territory. Today we are direct beneficiaries of their sacrifice and bravery. This month Belizeans will celebrate 226 years since the Battle of St. George’s Caye was won and forty-three years since our independence was secured. Perhaps these days the Battle sounds more like the stuff of legend than of history, but we know better. The only thing mythical about the 10th of September are the costumes and mas bands that will line the streets during this weekend’s carnival celebration- another yearly battle.
Chat again later.
Jasmine Anderson
For the Belize Tourism Board