SPTGA has new Managing Committee

Posted: 29 Jul 2010 in the Tourism Industry Category

On Thursday night, July 22nd a large crowd gathered at the Lions' Den for the San Pedro Tour Guide Association's (SPTGA) quarterly meeting. This meeting officially dissolved the previous board of directors and elections for a new board were held to carry the SPTGA on for the next two years. With a call for nominations from the floor, there was a definite change in the members nominated.
President Phillip "Billy" Leslie was re-elected for the next two years, a move that shows the faith of the group in his leadership abilities. Director Marciano Mendez was also re-elected. The new members are a group of enthusiastic and energized men who look forward to addressing issues that crop up, with the hopes of having a more professional group of tour guides serving the community. At the core of their hopes is that all tour guides across the board become even more active in conservation and sustainable practices, and that they become enhanced in the different aspects of tourism. According to Gilberto Nuñez, self employed tour guide with over 20 years of experience, "it is a chance to get together and move forward as a united front when it comes to the basics of tourism and tour guiding." He is the Vice President of the Association, and also looks forward to working hand-in-hand with President Leslie.
The other members of the committee include Steven Rubio - Secretary, Everette Anderson - Treasurer, Robert Gonzalez - Director, and Steve Bowen - Director. All agree that they have been elected via nominations, which means that they were chosen unanimously, and as such, must be an example to the other tour guides. Bowen, currently employed at Xaman Ek, is looking forward to working with the young, up-and-coming guides, helping them improve themselves in the different areas of guiding, especially in field work. Rubio stated that being part of the committee means having an ear open to whatever issues arise. It is his hope that solutions can be found and implemented in a way that will benefit everyone. Gonzalez emphasized the issue of discipline, and being reliable and on-call, stating that as part of the committee, there is a responsibility to "make a difference." All agree that there is a fresh perspective, and for the next two years, the island can only look forward to bigger and brighter things from the SPTGA.
Infrastructure-wise, President Leslie mentions that for the next two years, the plan is to build a new headquarters (in conjunction with San Pedro Credit Union). The current location of the headquarters is at the corner of Barrier Reef Drive and Caribeña Street, and over the next two years, it is the hope that a three story building will be complete, housing two offices, a conference and training center and library, as well as the San Pedro Credit Union locale. The committee is also looking forward to being able to implement the standards created by members and stakeholders as law. With that comes the responsibility to continue protecting our reef, and all our natural resources.
Congratulations to the new board, and we look forward to two bright years ahead for the San Pedro Tour Guide Association, and La Isla Bonita as a whole.