tourism industry in belize

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Except for a sharp, temporary contraction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Belize has seen steady growth in its travel and tourism sector, with strong demand from American tourists and retirees.  Tourism is the leading economic sector, a major contributor to Gross Domestic Product, and source of foreign exchange.  This growth has promoted development in related sectors of the economy, notably real estate, construction, logistics, infrastructure, and finance.

The national government is focused on expanding overnight opportunities for high-end travelers, the bulk of which would be Americans, and prestige international hotel chains have announced major construction projects for luxury accommodations in recent years.

Tourism-related opportunities for investment and trade include eco- and agri-tourism, adventure, nature, cruise, and other nautical tourism-related activities. There are numerous archaeological and cultural sites, including several of the largest Mayan cities and temples in Central America, as well as one of the most expansive limestone cave systems in the Americas. 

Hospitality and Tourism Industries

As an English-speaking destination near the United States, Belize is popular for American tourists and retirees. Americans comprise an estimated 70 percent of all tourists. Supporting the tourism industry is a major subsector of interest to U.S. businesses and investors, which includes accommodations and lodging, restaurant and hotel equipment, tourist attractions, and travel marketing agencies. Nature-based tourism that promotes sand and sea, Mayan and Garifuna culture, leisure pursuits, and adventure tourism are some of the key attractions for tourists. Belize is also increasingly recognized for its second-home buyers’ market, along with other countries in Central America, including Panama and Costa Rica. The Government of Belize has several tax and visa policies to encourage foreign retirees to reside in Belize.

Most of Belize’s tourism sector offers a boutique experience, often focusing on adventure and recreational or ecotourism activities. Opportunities for investment also exist in general merchandising; printing, marketing and promotional materials and supplies; “green” food packaging; construction equipment and supplies; and more recently, medical tourism. 

Opportunities

Tourism and travel services continue to flourish and are expected to increase in the next two years as additional U.S. airports expand flights to Philip Goldson International Airport.  U.S. airlines have announced additional upcoming nonstop service to Belize from Baltimore, Denver, and New York in 2023 and 2024.   

Areas of expected growth include ecotourism and adventure tourism, such as wildlife viewing, caving expeditions, hiking, and zip-lining; beach resorts; cruise ship tourism facilities such as shopping centers, spas, restaurants, cafes and bars; automobile and boat rental services; guided and educational activities like diving, canoeing, cooking, and horseback riding; marine services like cruise tendering, marinas, ship husbandry and berthing for yachts, sailboats, and charter boats.

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Belize Tourism Achieves Significant Milestones in 2023, demonstrating robust recovery

Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed substantial growth in 2023 , showcasing a resilient recovery after facing unprecedented challenges. The recently released preliminary tourism arrival figures reveal a noteworthy surge in both overnight stays and cruise ship visits, underscoring the destination’s appeal and the industry’s steadfast rebound.

Overnight stays in 2023 experienced a remarkable 25% increase compared to the previous year, totaling 464,717. While this achievement is commendable, there was a 7.6% gap compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. A shining moment in Belize’s tourism narrative is December 2023, when the country recorded the second-highest overnight tourist arrival for any given month in its history, welcoming a remarkable 55,574 visitors. This notable accomplishment underscores the destination’s allure and signals a positive trajectory for the tourism industry.

As Belize continues to navigate the complexities of the global tourism landscape, these encouraging figures attest to the collective efforts and resilience of the industry stakeholders, local communities, and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). The country remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism growth, ensuring the well-being of visitors, and preserving the unique cultural and natural treasures that make Belize a sought-after destination.

The positive momentum observed in 2023 serves as a testament to Belize’s enduring appeal and its ability to adapt to evolving travel dynamics. As the nation looks ahead, the tourism sector remains poised for further growth, offering an optimistic outlook for the industry’s continued recovery.

Please see more details on the following graphic tables.

About Belize Tourism Board The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector – including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize National Tour Operators Association – and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination to both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country’s unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instill high quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org .

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Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed impressive growth in recent years with overnight tourist arrivals registering double digit annual growth rates since 2016. To guide the development of the tourism sector from 2012 to 2030, the government endorsed a National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in 2011, setting various initiatives and targets for the immediate and medium terms. Using a panel regression analysis on twelve Caribbean countries, this paper finds that accelerating structural reforms, fortifying governance frameworks, reducing crime, and mitigating the impact of natural disasters will help sustain tourism growth in Belize and contribute to economic well-being. This is in addition to tackling infrastructure bottlenecks and mitigating concerns relating to the “shared economy”.

• I. Introduction

1. Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed impressive growth in recent years with overnight tourist arrivals registering double digit annual growth rates in since 2016. Investments by major international hotels and recent plans to build a multi-million dollar cruise port off the coast of Belize City along with other planned development projects will contribute significantly to economic activity, given the small size of Belize’s economy. To guide the development of the tourism sector from 2012 to 2030, the government endorsed a National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (NSTMP) in 2011, setting various initiatives and targets for the immediate and medium term.

2. The potential for further growth in Belize’s tourism sector is high . According to a study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), tourism industry in Belize is still an “emerging” rather than a “mature” sector. It is a relatively new industry in Belize when compared to the long-established Caribbean tourism destinations.

3. Given the importance of the tourism sector as the key contributor of Belize’s economic well-being, this paper addresses the following questions :

How has tourism evolved in recent years?

What are the comparative advantages and challenges?

How could reforms help in sustaining tourism and contributing to economic growth?

4. This paper is organized as follows: Section A provides an overview of Belize’s tourism sector and main achievements; Section B discusses the country’s comparative advantages and bottlenecks in tourism; Section C analyzes the impact of structural and institutional reforms on tourist arrivals; and Section D concludes with a discussion of policy implications.

• II. How Has Tourism Evolved in Recent Years?

5. Belize’s tourism sector has grown rapidly in recent years, contributing strongly to economic recovery ( Figure 1 ). Tourist arrivals have increased at a rate of 8.6 percent per year from 2010-2018 (15 percent in 2018). In other Caribbean economies, tourist arrivals grew 3.5 percent per year in 2010-2018 (6.1 percent in 2018.) According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct contribution of tourism amounted to 15 percent of GDP in 2017, three times higher than the Caribbean average of 4.8 percent of GDP. Its total contribution, when including indirect and induced effects, was estimated at around 41.3 percent of GDP (compared to the Caribbean average of 15.2 percent of GDP). The sector provides direct employment to 13.4 percent of the labor force, rising to 37.3 percent of total employment with the inclusion of jobs that are indirectly supported by the tourism activities. With travel earnings contributing around 40 percent of total exports in 2018, up from 32 percent in 2008, tourism is also the largest earner of foreign exchange.

Belize: Tourism Sector

Citation: IMF Working Papers 2019, 267; 10.5089/9781513521268.001.A001

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Tourism Arrivals (index; 2000 = 100)

Hotel rooms occupancy rate is among the highest…

… underpinning growth in employment

6. The outturns in tourism have significantly exceeded targets set in the authorities’ National Sustainable Tourism Masterplan (NSTMP). Since the launch of the NSTMP in 2011, overnight tourist arrivals grew at 10.1 percent per year, close to three times higher than the set target, precipitating growth in tourism expenditure of 10.7 percent per year which outperformed the target. Cruise visitors grew by an average 7.5 percent per year (compounded annual rate). Although it has outperformed the target in terms of the number of visitors, cruise tourism expenditure seems to be falling short of target, reflecting either these tourists are not disembarking to visit onshore tourism sites or the lack of capacity in capturing these expenditures.

Tourism Indicators Performance

(In Compounded Annual Growth Rate)

7. The implementation of the NSTMP reforms has supported the tourism sector’s expansion. To guide the development of the tourism sector, the NSTMP 2011 proposes reforms and targets to propel Belize into an internationally recognized tourist destination by 2030. The five central focus areas include tourism governance, sustainability and quality assurance, infrastructures, marketing, and product development ( Appendix 1 ). It also sets annual growth targets from 2011 to 2030 ( Table 1 ). As of end-2018, 80 percent of the total 54 subprograms that underpin the five focus areas have been completed or in progress. The largest deliveries are in areas relating to tourism marketing, governance, and product development.

NSTMP Targets from 2011 to 2030

Implementation of Tourism Master Plan

(In percent)

Status of Tourism Sub-programs

(In number)

• III. What Are the Comparative Advantages and Challenges?

8. Belize’s rich biodiversity, multi-cultural heritage, and unique location both in Central America and on the Caribbean Sea bode well for further development of tourism. The natural comparative advantages that put Belize ahead of others in eco-tourism, adventure, and cultural tourism include:

Excellent natural resources. Belize hosts four “unique tourism assets” with international recognition, namely the Barrier Reef Reserve System, Blue Hole Marine Reserve, Caracol Mayan site and the Chiquibul Caves System which hosts a network of caves and national park.

Strong cultural heritage . The country’s rich historic background is reflected in numerous heritage sites, mostly of Mayan origin. Many Mayan sites remain unexcavated and covered and are difficult to access by road resulting in an opportunity to further develop. Moreover, the diverse mixture of ethnic backgrounds (Kriol, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, and Mennonite) provide a unique cultural experience.

Unique location and rich biodiversity . Belize’s geography in Central American as well as the Caribbean Sea allows for easy access and tourist movement. Despite being less than 23,000 km2, it holds a globally significant diversity of plants and animals. The Maya Golden Landscape in Toledo District, southern Belize, forms one of Central America’s last unbroken stretches of broadleaf forest. The forests extend all the way from the Maya Mountains in the west to the Caribbean Sea, forming a key link in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Characteristics Relevant for Tourism

(Red = least favorable ranking; green = most favorable) 1/

1/ Color shows ranking compared to Caribbean and EMDE countries.

2/ IMF (2016) "Small States' Resilience to Natural Disasters and Climate Change - Role for the IMF."

3/ IMF “Week at the Beach Index” measuring the average cost of a 7-day-trip in a beach destination.

4/ Indicates the contributions of health and education to worker productivity.

5/ In % of population.

6/ Based on estimate of governance performance; ranges from -2.5 (weak) to 2.5 (strong).

9. Cost competitiveness has also helped underpin the rise in tourism demand. Belize’s share of the Caribbean tourism market has been rising steadily and is associated with relatively competitive prices, as reflected in the lower cost of a one-week vacation based on the IMF’s “Week at the Beach“ Index compared to Caribbean average. In addition, the cost of electricity, at US$16/kWh, is one of the lowest in the region. A recent IMF study found the cost of electricity in the Caribbean to be persistently high over the last two decades due to serious inefficiencies in the power sector and dependence on expensive imported petroleum product. This has eroded competitiveness and contributed to the region’s high cost of doing business. 2

Tourism Arrivals and Prices 1/

Domestic Electricity Tariffs, 2017

(in US c/k Wh)

10. Nonetheless, a number of supply-side bottlenecks and challenges remain:

Concentration of hotspots and tourists . Tourists still focus on a small number of attractions (especially those centered on the reef) and North America comprises 75 percent of arrivals, implying saturation and concentration risks.

Infrastructure gaps . Belize’s water and sanitation infrastructure and coastal facilities are currently stretched. Poor level of accessibility by land—mainly due to a small amount of paved roads leading to the tourism destinations—and by air results in uneven distribution of tourism flow in the country. This creates overcrowding in some sites and underutilization of others. Insufficient waste disposal and sewage systems also leads to unhealthy conditions and visual pollution.

Institutional gaps. Another bottleneck is the lack of enabling institutional and legal environment. Certain tourism hotspots are faced with overcrowding during peak tourism periods, for example San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. Infrastructure, water supply, and sanitation there appear to be unable to cope with the volume of visitors. Although a development plan for Ambergris Caye exists, its implementation has not been possible as Belize does not have a land use policy and planning framework that allows these jurisdictions to properly plan and manage their development.

Skill shortages . The availability of appropriately skilled labor in the tourism industry is tight and finding replacement staff is difficult. 3

Natural hazards . Belize is exceptionally vulnerable to hurricanes and other weather-induced damage, which dissuade tourist arrivals. The 2018 Climate Change Policy Assessment (CCPA) indicates that Belize is highly exposed climate change and natural disasters risks. Among small states, Belize ranks 3 rd at risk for natural disasters, and 5 th at risk from climate change. The country is low-lying and will face severe damages from inundation if the sea level rises and storm surges intensify. A significant influx of sargassum seaweed has led to travel cancellations and in some cases closure of tourism businesses.

Crime. Violent crime remains high, with a homicide rate of 38 per 100,000 people, compared to a rate of 12, on average, in EMDEs. The World Bank’s 2016 Systematic Country Diagnosis report indicates that crime is the biggest threat to Belize’s tourism industry. 4 The US Department of State’s Belize 2019 Crime and Safety Report also noted that confrontational crimes, such as armed robbery and theft, have increased in tourist areas.

Governance concerns. Survey measures of governance perceptions (relating, in particular, to the rule of law) and corruption perceptions indicate room for improvement, although they need to be interpreted carefully. Steps to enhance the effectiveness of the anti-corruption framework, including through the recently operationalized Integrity Commission, together with measures to raise the efficiency of the court system, including in enforcing contracts, are needed to improve investor confidence and support further development of the tourism sector.

11. The emergence of the “shared economy” business model has also brought new challenges, in addition to opportunities. The benefits of the peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation available to customers on digital platforms include the expansion of tourism product, service, and sector offerings; improved access to market; and opportunities for income generation. However, recent studies by the Central Bank of Belize staff (Leslie and Waight, 2019) and by World Bank staff (Bakker and Twining-Ward, 2018) also suggest that the expanding presence of rent-share and P2P accommodation could bring new challenges, including reducing expenditure levels per visitor, adversely affecting the job-intensive hotel sector, and contributes to over-crowding. In particular, P2P accommodations can reduce the demand for hotels from financially-conscious tourists while providing alternative accommodation options for upscale tourists. Similarly-priced hotels in the same areas are impacted the most. Moreover, budget P2P accommodation listings tend to compete directly with lower-end hotels and significant affect their earnings.

• IV. How Could Structural and Institutional Reforms Benefit Tourism and Belize’s Economy?

12. The positive effect of infrastructure investment on tourism has been highlighted in a number of empirical studies. A study by Ilić and Jovanović (2016) found infrastructure as an important determinant of tourism development in Southeast Europe (SEE). Specifically, the correlation between tourism competitiveness in SEE countries and the level of competitiveness of tourism infrastructure is high and significant. Turning to the Caribbean, Bolaky (2011) found that tourism competitiveness in the region can be enhanced through policy measures that include, among others, better infrastructure, increases in investment, private sector development, lower government consumption, a more flexible labor market, reduced vulnerability to natural disasters, higher human development and slow rises in oil prices.

13. This section complements existing literature by analyzing the impact of structural and institutional reforms on tourist arrivals. A panel regression analysis, based on a sample of 12 Caribbean countries 5 , provides quantitative analysis on the contributions of primary school enrollment, regulatory quality, internet access, crime rate, and damage from natural disasters to tourist arrivals. Two other explanatory variables—US real GDP growth and real effective exchange rate (REER)—are included as proxies for external factors and price competitiveness. 6 The model is represented by the following equation:

14. The results suggest that structural-institutional indicators are important drivers of tourism growth. Tourist arrivals increase with measures of educational quality, governance, security, and ICT infrastructure. The arrivals-to-population ratio (“Arrivals”) is positively associated with Primary School Enrollment, Regulatory Quality, and Internet Access. It is negatively associated with crime. Increasing enrollment at primary level by 1 percent and raising regulatory quality by 1 point is associated with “Arrivals” being higher by 0.56 percent and 41.7 percent, respectively. 7 At the same time, enhancing public access to internet by 1 percent is associated with a 0.28 percent rise in “Arrivals”.

15. Damages from natural disasters adversely affect tourism. The impact of natural disaster damages-to-GDP on “Arrivals” is significant and negative. “Arrivals” decline by 0.14 percent for every 1 percent of GDP increase in estimated economic damage. This result is broadly consistent with existing work on the effects of natural disasters on tourism. For example, a study by Bank for International Settlements Staff ( Peter, Dahlen and Saxena, 2012 ) found that a 1 percent of GDP increase in economic damage from natural disasters could lead to a 0.28 percent decline in economic growth.

Panel Regression Analysis with Tourist Arrivals-to-Population as Dependent Variable

*** p<0.01;

** p<0.05;

* p<0.10

16. External factors, including growth in the US economy, significantly influence tourist arrivals. The impact of the US economy is highly significant as a 1 percent increase in US real GDP growth is associated with an increase in “Arrivals” by 2.4 percent. For Belize, the model estimates imply that about 40 percent of the rise in tourist arrivals in 2018 are explained by US growth. 8 This reflects the large share of US tourists which accounted for 70 percent of stay-over tourist arrivals in 2018. In addition, price competitiveness proxied by the REER—although the statistical significance of its coefficient is marginal—remains economically meaningful. A 1 percent reduction in price competitiveness (a 1 percent appreciation of the REER) is associated with “Arrivals” declining by 0.2 percentage points.

Composition of Stay-Over Tourist Arrival

(In Percent Total)

17. Gaps exist in some of these metrics, relative to the neighboring countries. Belize appears to be underperforming in some of these structural and institutional indicators relative to the Caribbean, as discussed in Section III . The country is also highly susceptible to natural disasters, and damages could be costly although they may not be as high as some other neighboring countries. 9 For example, damages from the 2016 Hurricane Earl were estimated at around 4 percent of GDP, by the National Emergency Management Organization.

18. Reducing these structural-institutional gaps and potential losses associated with climate change could boost tourist arrivals and enhance economic growth. An illustrative simulation suggests that narrowing the gaps of regulatory quality, homicides rate, internet access, and natural disaster damage by ¼ to ¾ compared to the best-performing Caribbean economy could potentially increase tourist arrivals by 22 percent to 66 percent. An empirical analysis on the relationship between tourism growth and economic growth in the Caribbean by Thacker, Acevedo, and Perrelli (2012) , suggests that an increase in tourist arrivals by 1 percent could lead to a 1.7 percentage point (ppt) increase in GDP growth. This would imply an additional GDP growth of between 0.4 ppt to 1.1 ppt.

Tourism: Illustrative Gains From Structual Reforms

• V. Conclusion and Policy Implications

19. The reforms implemented based on the NSTMP over the past decade have supported the development of Belize’s tourism sector. At the same time, sustaining efforts to address various bottlenecks and challenges will help ensure continuous progress and development in tourism that will enhance economic growth.

20. Reforms in the near term should focus on addressing the impact of recurring natural hazards, infrastructure bottlenecks, fortifying the institutional and governance framework, reducing crime, and mitigating concerns relating to the “shared economy” .

Climate change. The 2018 CCPA highlights the natural perils that Belize faces—such as hurricanes, flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and droughts—with impacts likely to intensify given expected increases in weather volatility and sea temperature. Moreover, a significant influx of sargassum seaweed has led to travel cancellations and in some cases closure of tourism businesses. Reform priorities will include the need to mobilize substantial private investment, with official sector financial involvement playing a useful supporting role, to meet the adaptation and mitigation plans.

Infrastructure bottlenecks. Belize’s water and sanitation infrastructure and coastal facilities are currently stretched. Enhancements to the way visitation centers and valuable tourism resources are presented to tourists and to transportation to national tourism sites are needed. Expanding ICT infrastructure would cater to the swifts in tourism demand and changing tourist demographics.

Institutional and governance framework. Addressing regulatory bottlenecks and governance concerns, including in customs and public procurement, will help enhance the business environment and promote private sector capital in developing and diversifying the tourism sector. A study by Ghazanchyan, Li and Brito (2019) on the ECCU shows that improving governance, along with ease of doing business and reducing tariffs, would increase the union’s global market share of tourism by 40 percent. At the same time, establishing a land use policy and planning framework in Belize would allow jurisdictions faced with overcrowding during peak tourism periods to properly plan, implement, and manage their developments.

Reducing crime. Confronting safety and security risks to tourism will underpin perception even if tourists in Belize are rarely the victims of violent crime. The World Bank’s 2016 Systematic Country Diagnosis report indicates that crime is one significant obstacle, in addition to weaknesses in infrastructure and skillset . Policies that could help address the rise in crime rates include improving the quality of education, keeping children at school, promoting job training programs, and more direct approaches such as investing in safe neighborhood programs. A CDB Report on tourism reform highlights the successes of neighboring countries in fighting crime in tourism destinations which include, among others, better engagement with local communities which leads to “self-patrolling” (British Virgin Islands) and collaboration between the private sector and local police to develop a security plan (Grenada). A study by Plotnikov (2019 , forthcoming) on crime and output in Central America shows that crime reduces GDP by about 3 percent and tackling crime will require a combination of (i) preventive interventions that increase expected benefits from legal and non-violent activities, (ii) improving policing and other deterrence activities, and (iii) strengthening the criminal justice system to increase the cost of committing crimes while at the same time promoting the reintegration of ex-convicts in the productive economy.

“Shared economy”. Formal integration of rent-share and P2P accommodation through proper regulations, standards, registration, data sharing and taxation, in addition to “high-end” branding, and offering higher quality services and adequate physical tourism infrastructure, could alleviate its less desirable effects on income, employment, and overcrowding.

21. Medium-term priorities should focus on ensuring continuous and sustainable development of the tourism sector through vocational training and diversification of source markets and attractions. Programs that connect local industries to tourism, as well as local communities to the tourism value chain, should be developed to ensure equitable and sustainable growth in the tourism sector. Promoting formal tourism degrees and tourism graduate programs would mitigate shortages in skillsets and skilled labor. Strategic and more diversified marketing, including leveraging on ICT platforms, could reduce saturation and concentration risks, particularly as North America comprises 75 percent of arrivals at present and tourists still focus on a small number of attractions.

Bolaky , B. , 2011 . “ Tourism competitiveness in the Caribbean,” Caribbean Development Bank, ” Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: CEPAL Review 104 .

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• Export Citation

Cheasty , A. , et al ., 2018 . “ Belize Climate Change Policy Assessment, ” IMF Country Report No. 18/329 ( Washington : International Monetary Fund ).

Familiar , J. , et al ., 2016 . “ Belize: Systematic Country Diagnostic, ” The World Bank Group Report No. 102973-BZ ( Washington : The World Bank Group ).

Ghazanchyan , M. , Zhao , L. , Brito , S. , Parlak , V. , 2019 . “ New Insights into ECCU’s Tourism Sector Competitiveness, ” IMF Working Paper WP/19/154 ( Washington : International Monetary Fund ).

Ilić , I. , and Jovanović , S. , 2016 . “ Infrastructure As Important Determinant Of Tourism Development In The Countries Of Southeast Europe, ” ECOFORUM Volume 5 , Issue 1 ( 8 ), 2016 .

Nuenninghoff , S. , Lemay , M. , Rogers , and C. , Martin , D. , 2015 . “ Sustainable Tourism in Belize, ” Inter-American Development Bank Technical Note No. IDB-TN-737 .

Peter , G. , Dahlen . S. , and Saxena , S. , 2012 . “ Unmitigated Disasters? New Evidence on the Macroeconomic Cost of Natural Catastrophes, ” BIS Working Paper No. 394

Plotnikov , D. , 2019 , “ Crime and Output in Central America: a Model, ” IMF Working Paper (forthcoming) .

Ram , J. , et al ., 2017 . “ Tourism Industry Reform: Strategies for Enhanced Economic Impact, ” Caribbean Development Bank .

Thacker , N. , Acevedo , S. , and Perrelli , R. , 2012 . “ Caribbean Growth in an International Perspective: The Role of Tourism and Size, ” IMF Working Paper WP/12/235 ( Washington : International Monetary Fund ).

World Bank Group , 2018 , “ Tourism and the Sharing Economy: Policy & Potential of Sustainable Peer-to-Peer Accommodation. ” ( Washington : The World Bank Group ).

• Appendix 1. National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2012–2030

In 2011, the government endorsed a National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (NSTMP) for ensuring a dynamic, competitive, and sustainable tourism industry, with specifics reform to support its development. The NSTMP is a strategic framework with the objective of propelling Belize into an internationally recognized tourist destination by 2030. The NSTMP’s “Vision 2030” envisages Belize to be “an exclusive multicultural sustainable destination in the Central American Caribbean”, and “a destination where the authenticity and friendliness of its people, coupled with the uniqueness of an exotic natural environment can be actively experienced within a conserved world.” The strategic goals outlined in the NSTMP are:

Leadership: Support Belizean stakeholders in taking leadership over sustainable tourism development

Optimization: Optimize socioeconomic benefits from tourism

Sustainability: Undertake sustainable and planned tourism development

Competitiveness: Achieve competitiveness as a world-class destination

2. Market growth will be driven by the high value foreign tourists and domestic travels . The NSTMP aims to achieve the following:

Few but strong source markets: The European main source markets (such as German, French and English) will have been tapped and a growing stream of high value European tourist will be visiting Belize. Belizean traditional markets (USA and Canada) will be enhanced and consolidated in mid-high end segments. The main source markets for Belize are expected to be few but to generate high value.

Specialized in niche market segments: Additional market growth will come from consolidated highly specialized market drivers such as cavers, divers, pocket cruisers, honeymooners, yachties and sailors, adventure seekers, among others. These segments will be attracting a more diversified target source market.

Dynamic cross-border movement: Increasingly, intraregional travelers will be crossing border points to reach Belize as more and better connectivity is reached, with cross-product synergies to neighboring countries through such products as the Mayan Heritage Trail, nautical routes as well as a highly attractive shopping and entertainment offering. Intraregional travelers will be from both the international and regional markets.

Domestic travels: domestic travels will increase, making the Belizean residents feel and experience the country as it is one of the tourism World Class destinations of their own.

Chapter 13 of the IMF study provides further details.

According to an IDB study, although there has been considerable progress in establishing tourism-specific training and developing expertise in the sector, labor skills and attitudes are still considered by some to impede development of the sector. Moreover, finding replacement staff is difficult, not because of a tight labor market but because of the overall lack of workplace skills.

Based on anecdotal evidence from focus group discussions with the Belize Tourism Board and the Belize Chamber of Commerce.

Comprising Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic.

As in Ghazanchyan et.al. (2019) , prices are proxied by the REER.

The high coefficient for regulatory quality is driven by the very small annual change in the index. Over a 30-year period, the magnitude of annual change is only 0.0002 points, on average, for the sample of 12 Caribbean countries.

In 2018, overnight tourist arrivals increased by 63,290 compared with 2017. The US growth of 2.9 percent in 2018 added an estimated 7 percentage points to Belize’s tourism/population ratio, or an extra 27,000 of tourist arrivals.

The 2018 Climate Change Policy Assessment (CCPA) indicates that among small states, Belize ranks 3 rd at risk for natural disasters, and 5th at risk from climate change. The country is low-lying and will face severe damages from inundation if the sea level rises and storm surges intensify.

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• Belize: Selected Issues
• Unlocking Tourism Potential for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Dominica
• Belize: 2019 Article IV Consultation—Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize
• Chapter 3. Caribbean Tourism in the Global Marketplace: Trends, Drivers, and Challenges
• Sustainable Tourism in Belize
• Union of the Comoros: Action Plan for Implementation of the 2010-2014: Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy
• Cape Verde: Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Paper – II
• Belize: 2018 Article IV COnsultation—Press Release; Staff Report; Informational Annex; Debit Sustainability Analysis and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize
• Burkina Faso: Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development 2011–2015
• Republic of Moldova: Poverty Reduction Strategy and Growth Strategy

Other Publishers

Asian development bank.

• Sustainable Tourism After COVID-19: Insights and Recommendations for Asia and the Pacific
• Developing Agriculture and Tourism for Inclusive Growth in the Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Impact of Tourism on Regional Economic Growth: A Global Value Chain Perspective
• Big Data for Better Tourism Policy, Management, and Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19
• CAREC Tourism Strategy 2030
• Uzbekistan: Quality Job Creation as a Cornerstone for Sustainable Economic Growth
• Promoting Smart Tourism in Asia and the Pacific through Digital Cooperation
• Can Vaccination Help Restart Tourism?
• Reviving Tourism amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Leveraging Thematic Circuits for BIMSTEC Tourism Development

Inter-American Development Bank

• Fiscal Adjustment for Sustainable Growth in Belize
• Tourism in Belize: Options to Tax and Regulate the Home-Sharing Sector
• Cluster Sustainable Tourism as a Development Strategy
• Boosting Tourism's Contribution to Growth and Development: Analysis of Evidence
• Climate Change's Impact on the Caribbean's Ability to Sustain Tourism, Natural Assests and Livelihoods
• Rekindling Economic Growth in Belize
• User's Guide: IDB Sustainability Scorecard for Private Sector Tourism Projects
• Co-financing opportunities for innovative projects in Geotourism and Sustainable Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean
• The STC Challenge: Scaling Up Innovation in Sustainable Tourism

International Labour Organization

• Making recovery sustainable: Lessons from country innovations. Studies on Growth with Equity
• Developments and challenges in the hospitality and tourism sector. Report GDFHTS/2010

The World Bank

• Tourism in Africa: harnessing tourism for growth and improved livelihoods
• Tourism and the Sharing Economy: Policy and Potential of Sustainable Peer-to-Peer Accommodation
• Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods through Wildlife Tourism
• Twenty Reasons Sustainable Tourism Counts for Development
• Resilient Tourism: Competitiveness in the Face of Disasters
• Developing Nature-Based Tourism as a Strategic Sector for Green Growth in Lao PDR: Synthesis Report
• Growth Volatility in Belize
• Market Opportunities for Green Upgrading and Innovation: Sustainability Demand Analysis for the Beef, Soy, Dairy and Tourism Industries
• Tools and Resources for Nature-Based Tourism

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Tourism In Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth
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The BTIA a broad-based tourism umbrella organization that seeks to bring together tourism related interests to meet the challenges of a dynamic and growing tourism industry in Belize.

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Who Are We?

Belize tourism industry association.

WE ARE BELIZE’S LARGEST PRIVATE SECTOR TOURISM ORGANIZATION Marketing and promoting its membership comprising of Hotels, Tour Operators, Restaurants, Tour Guides and related businesses countrywide.

BTIA Chapters

Tourism information centers, years of experience, start your adventure and, discover belize, experiences, we offer our members, great benefits, advocacy for industry growth and protection.

Being the largest tourism organization in the country we are able to leverage our position to ensure that all of our member’s and all other relevant stakeholder’s interest are defended and considered. We’ve been pioneers on this front and continue to advocate with our partner associations on behalf of all our members.

Regional and International Marketing

One of our main focuses is Marketing Belize’s tourism product domestically and internationally. With our many partners and connections in the global tourism industry, you can be sure to see a boost in your establishment revenue almost immediately after becoming a BTIA member.

Member Discounts

As part of our networking efforts and keeping the association tight knit, we encourage all members to be tourists in our own beautiful jewel while enjoying many discounts while travelling the memberships’ various establishments.

Member to Member

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Check out these great deals from some of our members this month.

Nahil Mayab, Orange Walk

Alaia, San Pedro

Calico Jack's, Cayo

Latest News & Updates

BTIA Joins in the Celebration of Reef Week 2023

BTIA joined other non-governmental and tourism organizations in celebrating Reef Week 2023. Reef Week 2023 was celebrated under the theme: For Health, Wealth and Pleasure, Our Reef is a Treasure! The goal of the week was to highlight the importance

BTIA Participates in Solid Waste Management Project II

The Belize Tourism Industry Association participated in a Solid Waste Management Project II (SWMP II). The project was a collaborative effort between Government of Belize (GoB), Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

BTIA Participates in a World Cancer Day Event

In February, the BTIA participated in a World Cancer Day Event, which was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The event was a collaboration between the Belize Cancer Society and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with the aim to

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Hopkins Mango Street Fest 2023

Join us for a delightful celebration at the Hopkins Mango Street Fest 2023! We cordially invite you and your loved ones to experience the vibrant flavors, captivating music and games, and lively ambiance of this year's festival.

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Resilience and Conservation in a Changing Climate: The Case of Belize

As a small state situated on the Caribbean Sea, . Sea temperatures are rising every year, resulting in coral bleaching and reduced fish catch, both of which significantly impact local livelihoods. Storms are becoming more intense and more frequent – the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season had a record 30 named storms – disrupting economic activities and severely impacting the lives of local communities.

Conserving the country’s ocean resources is critical – marine and coastal resources support many of Belize’s key economic industries, are essential for food security, and provide invaluable ecosystem services. At the same time, these marine resources also support climate change adaptation and mitigation. In fact, the barrier reef and mangrove ecosystems are essential for protecting Belize’s coastal communities from the increasingly strong storms that are likely to occur in the future.

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Government of Belize, supported by the World Bank, implemented the five-year Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project (MCCAP), financed by the Adaptation Fund . The project had the overarching goal of strengthening climate resilience of the Belize barrier reef. It took a multifaceted approach: helping to build sustainable and alternative livelihoods for coastal communities to relieve human pressures on the reef and to help them adapt to a changing climate; increasing protections and restoration efforts to conserve coastal resources; and building public awareness about climate change and the importance of marine resources.

Additional footage used with permission by Fragments of Hope, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, and Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation Development.

Local Belizeans, like secondary school teacher Kieron Xiu, are aware of the urgency of these threats. “MCCAP invited teachers…to a training about climate change specifically, and overfishing. What I learnt in the training is alarming: there’s a lot of coral bleaching going on in Belize. We have to change the way we’re taking out fishes, and how we’re interacting with the environment.”

Marine protected areas can offer nature-based solutions to support global and local efforts towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. Recognizing the key role of marine protected areas, the project supported over five years an expansion of marine protected area coverage from 13% to 22% , increased marine replenishment (no-take) zones from approximately 2% to 3.1%, and supported the drafting of updated Forest (Protection of Mangroves) Regulations that came into effect in 2018.

In addition to contributing to conservation efforts and providing a buffer against storms, marine protected areas are key drivers of the local economy. Sustainable management of fish populations ensures that fisherfolk will continue to have a catch, season after season, and provides opportunities for locals to diversify their livelihoods beyond fishing. The stunning reefs in Belize’s marine protected areas have supported the country’s tourism industry, particularly in high-value areas like diving. Considering that in 2019 travel and tourism contributed nearly 45% of Belize’s GDP, preservation of the barrier reef is essential to the sustainability and growth of this industry.

To support these efforts, MCCAP helped to mainstream climate change into the Belizean education curriculum. In addition, with MCCAP’s support, some schools started vocational training for secondary school students living in fishing-dependent communities. Kieron teaches agriculture, and regularly takes his students out to the experimental farm and livestock area on the school campus for practical classes.

“Belize has prioritized climate change. Why? Because we’ve seen the effects in other countries, and we need to prepare ourselves. Climate change will happen in Belize and it’s happening already. And we can see the effects already sprouting in our barrier reef, especially coral bleaching. The world is getting warmer, so the reef life is dying. And that’s alarming. Imagine there are no fish, no fish meat to eat, how will we survive? We have to diversify to agricultural production,” Kieron explains.

MCCAP took an integrated approach to developing and delivering climate adaptation options. In other fishing communities around Belize’s coastal areas, the project supported a variety of vocational trainings to help locals dependent on this vulnerable industry and coastal resources to supplement their income, which enables them to adhere to the new fishing and marine regulations. Some communities are focusing on organic farming, others are growing high-value forms of seaweed, while others have trained in cooking, hospitality, English, and skills for the tourism sector.

Abisai Canul is a fisherman in the northern town of Sarteneja. Through MCCAP, he was trained in English and tour guide skills, while other members of his family received culinary or hospitality training. “We now have a schedule when we can only set traps from March and November. Before, we didn’t do this and the amount of fish we caught was less every year. Now, we can do something else other than just fishing, helping the fish not to go extinct, and generating more income to help our families.”

The reef and its marine life are essential to Belize’s economy and way of life, so trainees like Abisai feel proud to be able to play a part in conservation, while making a living. As fishing communities are doing their part to reduce human pressures on the reef, others, like the volunteers with  Fragments of Hope , are helping replant the reefs with more resilient types of coral. This is a labor of love for many local divers who also work in tourism and see firsthand the impression that a healthy reef makes on visitors to Belize.

Yasir Teck is one of the students at Kieron’s agriculture school. He dives in his free time and is a member of the school’s environmental club, which reaches out to primary school students to teach them about the environment.  “Our main aim of the club is to create awareness of the marine ecosystem. My father is a fisherman, and I would like to be a marine biologist.” With climate change now an integral part of Belize’s curriculum, Yasir is just one among a new generation growing up who are passionate about protecting their country’s natural resources far into the future.

Related links:

Feature story:  Investing in Nature, Investing in the Future of Belize

MCCAP: Belize Fisheries Department

Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association

Fragments of Hope

Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation Development

MCCAP Results story

Belize’s Tourism Industry Rebounds in 2022

• January 27, 2023
• by Larry Waight +

The latest statistics from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is indicating that Belize’s Tourism Industry is rebounding at an impressive rate, recording over 983 thousand tourism arrivals to The Jewel by either land, air, or sea last year.

The data indicate that overnight tourism arrivals have since surpassed the 2019 figures by a whopping 69.2 %. With such impressive growth, BTB is projecting that the industry is poised to make an even bigger comeback in 2023, as more visitors are expected to explore The Jewel. The BTB says, ‘’The latest statistics for both overnight and cruise ship tourist arrivals provide a clear and strong signal that Belize’s tourism has recovered and is now poised to achieve higher records in the New Year.’’

Those figures indicate that in 2022, 370, 524, overnight visitors were welcomed to Belize while 612, 533 cruise tourism passengers disembarked. In December alone the BTB is reporting that a whopping 40 cruise ships docked in Belizean ports, bringing with them an influx of passengers from across the globe.

As it relates to overnight tourism arrivals by month, the country experienced the highest influx in March with 41,909 followed by April and December. When comparing by percentage to the 2019 figures, the highest growth in the overnight sector was recorded in the first portion of the year from January to April . For cruise ship passengers the highest number of passengers representing 95,730 disembarked in the month of December followed by 93,836 in March and 74,018 in November.

This considerable increase in figures which portrays the resilience in Belize’s booming tourism industry has led BTB to express how pleased they are with the industry’s swift recovery. The BTB attributed the growth to, ‘’the surge in international flights to Belize , assertive marketing in our source markets, and the strong support and collaboration from industry stakeholders,’’ which they say were the main elements for a successful year. Expressing their commitment and proactively to efficiently promoting Belize as a premier destination, for the benefit of both Belizean and international travelers the BTB says that they look forward to continuous growth.

It is no secret that Belize has been a prime tourism destination that has experienced consecutive growth in the tourism sector over the past years. Belize was among the first to open up to International Leisure Travel on October 1st, 2021, and then moved to lift all travel restrictions on July 12th, 2022.

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Belize’s Tourism Industry to Rebound in 2022

• Belize Real Estate , COVID-19 , Invest in Belize , Retire in Belize

Belize is Open: The Prime Locale for Summer Travel

Central America’s best-kept secret is out: Belize is the ultimate destination for an unforgettable getaway, complete with jungle adventures, beach views, unmatched cuisine, and captivating culture. Though this tiny nation took a huge hit in the wake of the global pandemic, this year we are thrilled to report that Belize’s borders are open, and the economy is on the mend. As COVID restrictions have waned, this year tourism is trending upwards, and there is no better time for a trip to Belize than now. Picture this: summer sun, gold standard accommodations, friendly locals, and if you’re really charmed by the country’s allure: plenty of opportunities for real estate investments.

COVID Restrictions Reduced, No Mask Mandate! 

After over two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions, traveling to Belize has suddenly become significantly easier. The country’s COVID-19 regulations are now minimal, as vaccinated travelers are able to enter without the requirement of COVID-19 tests, and the use of masks is no longer demanded throughout the country. Curfews have also been removed, and casinos, bars, and nightclubs – which were completely closed by government mandate – are now able to open their doors for the first time in over two years! The president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Julia Simpson, endorses the importance of the drastically reduced travel restrictions: “ If the right conditions exist, the travel and tourism sector can rebound to deliver economic and employment benefits we have not seen since before the pandemic,” says Simpson. “We encourage global leaders to consider the economic and employment benefits of boosting consumer confidence by allowing fully vaccinated travelers to move freely.” This uplifting statement from the WWTC is a reassurance of Belize is on the right path toward tourism recovery and offers hope of an even more promising upturn in the economy of Belize in the near future.

Tourism is Rebounding, as the Economy Makes a Comeback

In the first quarter of 2022, tourism in Belize is already on the rebound.  The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) reports in a recent press release that the latest statistics for both overnight tourist arrivals and cruise tourist arrivals provide an evident indication that “ Belize’s tourism is moving fast on its path to recovery .” In quarter one, the country has seen over ninety-seven thousand overnight tourists and nearly two hundred thousand visitors via cruises. The first quarter marks an incredible bounce-back for the nation of Belize, with over two-hundred ninety-seven thousand tourists visiting in the months of January through March of 2022. With this remarkable rebound, the hotel market in major destinations such as Belize City is undoubtedly benefiting from this relief, as the BTB is reporting an impressive 171.2% year-on-year increase in overnight tourists thus far in 2022. 

The Ideal Destination for Your Return to Travel

Gone are the days of international travel being frowned upon. With vaccinations, gold standard accommodations, and plenty of airlines offering nonstop service to Belize, a getaway to Belize is not only easy but incredibly safe! This newly-established ease of travel makes the allure of this palm-fringed country almost impossible to resist. As summer is upon us, adventures await and festivities such as the Lobster Festival and Annual Carnival are back on track after a two-year hiatus. This summer is the perfect time to indulge in pent-up wanderlust and explore the shores of the only English-speaking country in Central America. Take advantage of the easy access to Belize with robust airline options , and discover a country of culture, flavor, and refreshing slow-paced living. If you should decide to invest in Belize real estate , opportunities are plenty with residential and commercial properties currently at an excellent price point. 

Start planning your return to travel today, and browse our listings at Vista Real Estate to find established real estate agents, excellent service, and the largest selection of property listings available in Belize.

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Welcome to the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

The Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations is a government entity that provides leadership, strategic direction, good governance and oversight on all matters relating to the development of tourism for and on behalf of the Government of Belize.

Strong & Resilient

Hon. Anthony Mahler

Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

Meet our Minister

The Hon. Anthony Mahler has served in a management capacity in the public and private sectors and has led teams which have spearheaded campaigns and policies. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix where he majored in Global Management, and a Master’s Program Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis from the Devry, Keller School of Management. He also attained a Certificate in Strategic Management from Tuck Institute at Dartmouth.

Meet our CEO

Mrs. Nicole Solano has worked in the tourism public and private sectors, with over twenty years of experience in the travel industry. She has held the roles of Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the Belize Tourism Board, as well as Executive Director at the Belize Tourism Industry Association. Her first job in tourism was at Kitty’s Place Beach Resort (now Los Porticos Villas) in Placencia before taking on positions in the areas of Human Resources, Sales, and Marketing at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina. In recent years, she has worked with tourism and corporate clients in her capacity as Managing Partner at Idea Lab Studios. She comes with a strong familiarity with the Belize tourism product, and is well versed in regional and international tourism policy and strategy through extensive experience in working with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Central American Tourism Integration System and Mundo Maya. CEO Solano also has held a seat on the Board of Administration of the Belize Volleyball Association in a voluntary capacity since 2017, and has participated at regional meetings of AFECAVOL and NORCECA.

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• Actions for Tourism Recovery Seminar
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• Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations Secured Donation of Paint from Global Paint for Charity Inc.

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Industry Sector's Licensing Process

A United Belize Tourism Industry…

The Belize tourism industry is the fastest growing private sector with the greatest contribution to Belize’s annual GDP growth. The guidance and governance of policies help to sustain support and enhance the industry.

This strategic focus ensures that the industry sectors can sustainably meet the demands of a growing tourist destination.

We know that every second counts when it comes to achieving excellent visitor experiences. With this in mind, we have made the process of applying, renewing, licensing and becoming qualified easier with categorized downloadable forms.

Click below to learn more.

Keeping up-to-date with licensing and registration, made easy…

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) understands the critical role that the accommodations sector plays in providing overnight travellers to Belize with unmatched Belizean hospitality and comfort.

Tour Operators

Providing visitors with an unforgettable vacationing experience. 

Tour Operators are a pillar sector of the Tourism Industry, providing tour services countrywide.  These businesses must be licensed to conduct their operations. For renewing and applying for a Tour Operator license kindly download the form provided below.

Tour Guides are an essential part of Belize’s tourism industry. They undergo rigorous trainings and examinations, for certification through the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) licenses.