What’s Next for Belize Tourism? BTIA Looks for Ways Forward

Tourism stakeholders met last week at the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s annual general meeting to discuss what comes next for Belize’s tourism sector.

The proposed hotel accommodation tax increase was one of the key issues discussed. BTIA and the Belize Hotel Association have asked Prime Minister John Briceño for details on the proposal, which BTIA President Efren Perez says was presented only verbally.

Perez says the industry remains opposed to a tax increase, but believes there is still room for discussions with government on the wider challenges facing tourism. “We have had a resounding no to any increase in taxes from the industry,” he said.

Sargassum and coastal erosion in Placencia are also among the issues facing the tourism sector. Perez says government and the industry need to work together on solutions.

“We also have to sit down now and look at how are we going to collaborate together to make sure that we’re working towards the mitigation of sargassum,” Perez said.

Perez also spoke about expanding Belize’s presence in regional and international tourism markets. He says better coordination among hotels, tour operators, travel agencies and destination management companies could help more businesses take part in major industry events and promote Belize to a wider audience.

Perez says identifying gaps across the industry can help determine where more investment is needed in training and resources.

“It gives us an idea in terms of where we need to make more investments in trainings and providing them with the tools necessary for them to be able to be much more successful in the industry,” he said.