The major activity of BTIA is to advocate for the interests of the tourism industry. This includes hotels, tour operators, tour guides, restaurants, spas, gift shops, car rentals—any activity directly related to tourism and includes both the overnight and cruise sectors.
This advocacy takes many forms. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic BTIA lobbied for common sense policies that did not make visitors prisoners in their hotels and allowed them to enjoy the country’s many outdoor attractions without hindrance and in safety. We simultaneously pushed for policies that put tourism workers near the head of the line for vaccinations while at the same time campaigning for all Belizeans to be vaccinated.
Similarly, we regularly advocate in the areas of industry regulation, taxation, economic support, and related areas including crime control, sargassum, environmental policy, transport and labor relations. Some of these efforts take place through our representation on various boards and committees (Belize Tourism Board, Sargassum Task Force, Airline Development Committee, PACT and DFC to name a few) while other means take the form of personal contact with officials at the BTB, Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations and Government in general. We try at all times to maintain a positive relationship with Government, but we are not afraid to respectfully disagree with some policies when they conflict with what we believe to be the best interests of our members. In general, we favor policies that promote sustainability, nature-based tourism, and the preservation of authenticity in our tourism product.
See our most recent advocacy efforts and works below:
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Eat Right Fish Right Program
As an ally and partner with Oceana Belize, the BTIA formed part of the team that create the Eat Right Fish Right program that promotes a sustainable process for the monitoring of fishing practices and the quality of fish served
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Crime in Belize Meeting with ComPol and Minister
The BTIA held a special meeting at its Belize City office to discuss the crime situation in tourist destinations and others parts of Belize. The focus of the meeting was to address current security issues and concerns, and to discuss
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BTIA President: Elected 13th Senator for the Belize Network of NGOs in the National Assembly
The BTIA as an NGO in good standing was able to participate and contribute with the development and establishment of the Belize Network of NGOs to represent the interests of the NGO community. The Government of Belize supported and granted
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BTIA’s Position Paper: Proposed Amendments to the Departure Tax and the PACT Fee
PREAMBLE As part of what it calls “measured consolidation”, the Government of Belize has proposed the following revenue measures: 1) require all statutory boards to contribute 10% of their 2017/18 income to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and 2) amend the Conservation Fee
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Position Paper: Departure Tax Increase and Negative Impacts
PREAMBLE As part of what it calls “measured consolidation”, the Government of Belize has proposed the following revenue measures: 1) require all statutory boards to contribute 10% of their 2017/18 income to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and 2) amend the Conservation Fee
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Press Release: Airbnb Meeting
Press Release: On May 11th, 2017, BTIA representatives held a meeting with two Airbnb officials, Mr. Shawn Sullivan and Mr. Carlos Munoz, who are responsible for Airbnb’s public policy division for Latin America and the Caribbean. BTB’s Business Development Manager, Sean
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Position Paper: Ban Glyphosate
The chemical compound Glyphosate (the key ingredient in Roundup) is the number one pesticide used to eradicate weeds in farms in Belize and worldwide. The World Health Organization’s IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified glyphosate as a probable
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Leading Member of the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage
The BTIA proudly sits as leading member of the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage to preserve and protect the integrity of the Belize Barrier Reef System. The Coalition has engage in various campaigns to promote our goals and
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Press Release: Hotel and Tourist Accommodations Minimum Standards
Press Release: The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the improvements to the minimum standards for Hotels and Tourist Accommodations in Belize that are being proposed by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) as set out
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Harvest Caye Project – Supreme Court Case
BTIA vs Department of the Environment (DOE) and Belize Island Holdings Ltd. (BIHL) In support of the BTIA membership in Placencia in addressing concerns about the development of a cruise port on Harvest Caye and the negative socioeconomic impacts on the
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BTIA Report on the Sargassum Task Force
In December 2015, the BTIA held a Sargassum Forum with invited guests from Quintana Roo, Mexico, the Caribbean and Belize to present research information and solutions to address sargassum influx in coastal areas. The forum yielded an official report with
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BTIA Rep on the High Risk Activity Committee
As a national association, the BTIA has an official seat on the following committees to represent the interests of the membership: Hotels and Tourist Accommodations Minimum Standards Technical Committee Zip line Canopy Systems Minimum Standards Technical Committee Scuba Diving Minimum
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