Increased advocacy on safety and security in general
Crime has well established negative impact on the quality of life in general as well as economic processes and operations.  Tourism is no exception.  The negative effect of the sensational criminal activity on daily life and business operations prompts concern and requires the assistance of all.  In conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, BTB and the public sector security agencies, BTIA kicked off a series of safety and security consultations in the tourism destinations across Belize in September of 2009 and intends to continue with the activity. 

Increased advocacy as it relates to taxation, fiscal incentives and labor issues for tourism
BTIA commenced discussions with public sector tourism agencies in 2008 and 2009 for the reclassification of hotels under the General Sales Tax (GST). Considering the 2010/2011 Budget and the resulting increased of the GST from 10% to 12.5%, BTIA is investigating and identifying resources for the comprehensive evaluation of the tourism tax regime and its impact on sectoral development. The view is that with comprehensive assessment a more equitable tax regime can be recommended, complete with proposals for fiscal incentives that will foster competitiveness, efficiency and long term industry growth. In addition, BTIA will be surveying the availability and affordability of finance (credit) in the local financial market.

BTIA’s Inner Circle Meets on Economic Planning
The Belize Tourism Industry Association inner circle via an Xchange Series seminar gathered to discuss economic and tourism sector policy and planning for Belize. The group discussed the aims and objectives of the Horizon 2030 initiative and the role that tourism as a sector should play in Belize's economy as well as what is necessary from a strategic planning perspective to realize growth and development for Belize's economy and the tourism industry. The discussion started with a presentation from Adele Catzim Consultant with Barnett & Company - the consulting group contracted by the Government of Belize/Ministry of Economic Development to design the Horizon 2030 framework. The main goal for the initiative is that Belize's economic planning will move from the normal five-year cycle to one that is long term and enjoys the support of all economic sectors and most importantly political parties that form governments.

For the tourism representatives gathered at the initiative, the main issues remained those the BTIA currently advocates - these are issues of safety and security, taxation and the supporting financial sector, sustainable development and alleviation of poverty via tourism and sanitation and civic pride. Several BTIA members voiced concerns of what the future of Belize and the industry will be without proper economic forecasting and planning. The current statistics for poverty that now identifies poverty levels at 43% are particularly concerning and spurred discussions on the relevance of the education system to support Belize's economic development with tourism as one sector, the need for there to be civic pride and fostering an understanding in our youths of our systems (economic and otherwise) and a general increase in tolerance especially considering the crime rates and types of crimes being observed today.