Cluster

The Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail Cluster focuses on two largely Garifuna coastal communities of Dangriga town (population 9,600) and Hopkins village (population 1,500).

 

50 Indigenous community stakeholders have rallied together in the spirit of bringing economic development to their communities. Together, these enterprises form the core CBT products and services across both communities, each supporting a different role in the tourism industry’s sub-sectors. They provide diverse experiences, accommodations, food and beverage, and other supporting services to support CBT development.  The Cluster partners have been self-categorized into three categories: light-providing symbols that all shine uniquely.

  • “Weyu” (sun) –established businesses that are mostly market-ready and experiential activities
  • “Hatei” (moon) – are Professional/ supporting services that will help the firms in the cluster to carry out their activities
  • “Waruguna” (star) –additional attractions that include some smaller local businesses. The full list may be found in the Appendix.

Additionally, a listing of government and other entities are the key support organizations endorsed for inclusion by the cluster stakeholders.

Mission

To cultivate understanding and appreciation for, and interaction with the rich cultural heritage of the Garifuna people in Belize. This mission emphasises the educational and awareness-raising goals of the Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail.

Vision

To be the world’s leading platform for celebrating and sharing Garifuna culture, fostering cultural pride within the Garifuna community, and inspiring future generations to preserve this unique heritage.

This vision statement expands on the mission by aiming to establish the Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail as a prominent voice for the Garifuna culture, a source of inspiration for the community and an invitation to others to experience this living history.

 

We hold the utmost respect for the Garifuna people and their traditions. This core value underpins everything we do and guides how we approach cultural representation.

Declared a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2001, the Garifuna culture is well-known for its rich, vibrant music, food, dance, and language. However, the Garifuna’s history and stories are profoundly thoughtful, which penetrate across cultures and geographic borders, showing us that we are one global community, one family.

 

In January 2020, the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) launched a call for proposals for clusters focused on the tourism and agri-tourism sectors. To support this process, and to provide tools to build a pipeline of strong projects, a community-based tourism (CBT) toolkit was developed in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

 

With the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations the Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail Cluster applied for a were selected for funding.

 

The Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail Cluster Development Project aligns with the strategic priorities of Belize’s National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan and Medium-Term Development Strategy. It seeks to develop a unique brand for a network of Garifuna tourism service providers in Hopkins and Dangriga, build the capacity of cluster members, increase marketing and promotion, and develop more cultural and creative experiences that will improve the quality of the visitor experience, positioning beneficiaries to optimize resources and maximize benefits from the tourism industry.

 

The actions have directly impacted and sustained the private enterprises that form the Belize Indigenous Garifuna Trail Cluster and their families and indirectly benefit the ~11,100 inhabitants within the Dangriga and Hopkins communities through the growth and exposure to culinary, experiential tourism products, capturing a wide array of Garifuna-rooted products. This also includes services, and experiences inclusive of adventure, homestays, and immersions. Arts & crafts, accommodations, music, festivals, professional services, traditional holistic healing, and more.

We express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Peitra Arana for her invaluable contributions to the Garifuna Cultural Manual. Her extensive research and dedication to preserving Garifuna oral history have greatly enriched our content.

Dr. Peitra Arana is a medical doctor with a keen interest in public health and a deep commitment to Garifuna oral history. With over 30 years of experience, she has balanced her medical career with a passion for preserving Garifuna culture through research and documentation.

Thank you, Dr. Arana, for your significant support and contributions.

See biography