In 2008, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), funded the Sustainable Tourism Programme I (STP I: 2009- 2014), which invested in nine tourist destinations to strengthen the tourism industry’s contribution to the national economy, by consolidating the overnight tourism market with investment and activities to enhance the Belizean tourism experience. STP I allowed for the development of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030, setting forth a national development policy and destination planning for key tourism destinations such as Cayo, Placencia, Belize City and Ambergris Caye. Key investments made under STP I include:

1. Cayo Welcome Center – San Ignacio, Cayo
2. Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave – Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Cayo
3. Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve – San Ignacio, Cayo
4. Xunantunich Ferry and Visitor Center – San Jose / Succotz, Cayo
5. Placencia Municipal Pier and Plaza – Placencia, Stann Creek
6. Belize City Fort Point Pedestrian Link – Belize City, Belize
7. San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal – Ambergris Caye, San Pedro
8. Bacalar Chico Ecological and Education Center – North West Ambergris Caye, San Pedro

Recognizing Belize as a world class cultural and natural asset, the Sustainable Tourism Programme II (STP II: 2015- 2020) signed in 2014, aims to further increase the contribution of the tourism industry in regard to Belize’s national sustainability through resilient socio-economic development in emerging destinations, such as Corozal, Toledo, Caye Caulker, Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and adjacent protected areas of Chiquibul, and Caracol in Cayo District. These destinations are all targeted for investment to enhance the physical tourism product, to promote disaster and climate change resilience, and to strengthen capacities in the industry.

BELTRAIDE continues to partner with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in initiatives under both STP I and II in fostering national development through investment, trade, entrepreneurship and skills training. For more details on the Sustainable Tourism Programmes and national initiatives in tourism development, please feel free to contact the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation at:

106 South Street

Belize City, Belize

Phone: +501-227-2801 / 02

Email: info@tourism.gov.bz

Website: www.tourism.gov.bz