BTIA says departure tax increase is negatively impacting tourism

achment_31581" align="aligncenter" width="498"] BTIA Executive Director John Burgos[/caption]

By BBN Staff: Yesterday, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) issued a statement expressing its solidarity with its long standing member and industry partner, Tropic Air Belize, in relation to its decision to discontinue its regional flights to Chetumal, Merida, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, as of September 2017.

A position paper presented by the BTIA on March 15, 2017 identified the potential negative impacts that an increase in the departure tax would have on the tourism industry.

The BTIA calls on the Government of Belize to repeal the Amendment to the PACT Act that resulted in the increment of the departure tax.

“Tropic Air’s decision is sufficient evidence that tourism arrivals may be negatively impacted by the increase in the departure tax,” the statement said.

The BTIA further added that Belize must remain competitive regionally and globally to increase tourist arrivals and to promote growth in the travel industry.

The BTIA statement ended by saying, “We must recognize the fragility of our tourism industry by safeguarding its future through the development and implementation of the right policies to promote sustainability, competitiveness and growth.”

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