Tourism Stakeholders Join to create a Tourism Special Incentives Program

The Ministry of Tourism has joined forces with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Belize Investment and Trade Development Services (BELTRAIDE) to create a Tourism Specific Incentives Program in an effort to meet the needs of the Tourism Industry. After the initial meeting to discuss tourism incentives, it was quickly realized that the current incentives program may be difficult for the people in the tourism industry to tap into. The team has now affirmed guidelines for the new legislation to be specifically focused on the tourism industry.

In order to ensure that any amendments to the legislation are in line with the needs of the stakeholders of the industry, a survey was distributed via BTIA and BHA as well as to the BTB’s mailing lists of licensed hotels, tour operators and tour guides. A copy of the survey format which was requested by the end of June has been submitted and so far over 100 responses have been received. The information provided thus far is being compiled and sorted. Once the survey process is complete, the team will once again meet to compile a proposal for this new and important legislation.

A copy of the survey format which was requested by June 30th can be seen at www.belizetourism.org/survey/survey.php