A few years ago, tourism was Belize's fastest growing industry- bragging of double digit growth in arrivals, hotel occupancy, and in dollars. But that might all be changing. The Belize Tourism Industry Association held its 22nd annual general meeting today and there wasn't a lot of things to celebrate. Keith Swift found out why.
Rosella Zabaneh, President - BTIA
"The year has been challenging."
In one word - that's what the last year was for the tourism industry. It's a year in which there was an increase of only 6% in the arrival of overnight tourists. The Tourism Industry Association's President Rosella Zabaneh and Executive Director Andrew Godoy say that's too little.
Andrew Godoy, Executive Director - BTIA
"6% increase. While we applaud that we did get some increase, at the end of the day we still have properties that are saying that they have not recorded a visitor for the last two months, three months, some even more.
Rosella Zabaneh,
"In September and October
there's always a decline due to most of the clients which we get are from the American market, North American market. September and October this year were worst than ever and I think it reflects a lot because of the hurricanes we have had over this year."
The last two months were very bad for the industry but worse for the hotel sector.
Mariam Roberson, President - Belize Hotel Association
"We started off with one of the low Januarys in terms of hotel occupancy from the figures that we could see. Although it seemed to pick up a bit throughout the months, the good months were February and March, the past two months - October and September - I would say, we have not received the official figures from the BTB, but a lot of hotels that we have done surveys are showing some very low occupancies."
And along with low occupancy, President of the Hotel Association Mariam Roberson says hotels are facing higher costs, specifically in utility bills and on the GST tax.
Mariam Roberson,
"We've done a study last year which we presented to government on the effects that the exempt status of the GST is having on the industry. It's definitely affecting our costs. We've continue to lobby on behalf of the hotels in Belize for government to look at that because we really should be in a zero rate status or in some form of an equitable form of the tax."
It's a downward spiral and Andrew Godoy says government can help to stop it.
Andrew Godoy,
"The Prime Minister in 2006 at the BTB industry presentation stood
up and said that his government will place tourism as a national priority. We need to take that seriously. If the government is going to put tourism as a national priority, then serious serious attention has to be given to this industry. This industry is faced with increasing operational costs in every aspect."
But at the AGM, BTIA members agree that they also need to do their part. Marketing plays a big major role and since Belize can't match dollar for dollar what other countries spend on advertisements, they are trying new outlets like this new tourist friendly website.
Efrain Perez, Marketing Officer - BTIA
"The website is definitely important. It sells us internationally and locally. It's a 24 hour office basically. Our website has been revamped and it has options now for visitors and it also has a site section for membership. We have looked at the website we had prior and there were certain things that I think needed to be added. Some pf the key things added is a visitors section whereby our visitors can log on to our websites and they can look at the different information based on the destination in Belize and also we have a section for deals and specials which we will be offering from our members to the visitors."
The Association believes that if everything goes as planned - there will be increased arrivals by year's end.
Rosella Zabaneh,
"I am sure mid November, December you going to see a lot of tourists coming into the country."
Part of the optimism at today's AGM is because at least one new airline carrier has expressed interest in adding Belize as a destination. There is also reportedly interest from a European carrier. The BTIA has 640 members.
