FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2011

Tourism Taxation Study Underway

The Ministry Of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, and the Belize Tourism Board have signed a Bz$100, 000 contract with public finance specialist, Dr. Mark Rider, to carry out a taxation review of the tourism industry. The private sector, and in particular the hoteliers, have been lobbying for this type of assessment for a number of years. The study, which is a component under the Sustainable Tourism Program, will also provide guidance towards the financing of the National Tourism Trust Fund, recommended within the recently completed National Sustainable Master Plan as the land-use planning and destination development arm of the Ministry.

With the endorsement of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Rider will evaluate existing government policy and taxation on the entire tourism industry and its components, providing recommendations and actions to strengthen the taxation system and its administration that will enable Belize's tourism sector to compete more effectively within the global marketplace. The aim is to increase profitability of tourism businesses and attract new investments, while achieving adequate tax revenue returns for the Government.

Left to right: Ms. Seleni Matus, Director BTB; Ms. Terry Wright, STP; Ms. Christy Mastry STP; Mr. Mark Rider, Mr. Valdemar Andrade, Senior Tourism Officer/STP Liaison Officer Ministry of Tourism Civil Aviation and Culture

Dr. Rider has worldwide experience assisting countries with tax analysis, assessments and fiscal review, including the Governments of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan, Guyana and Jamaica. He is looking forward to consulting with Belize's tourism players over the next four months with a project completion date set for the end of the year.

Funding for the US$15million Sustainable Tourism Program is provided by the Government of Belize through an IDB loan, and from the Belize Tourism Board. For more information about the program please contact the Project Coordinating Unit at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the STP website www.sustainabletourismbz.org.