By Belize Live News Staff: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has tied her opposition to a proposed hotel tax increase to an unanswered question about money already spent.
The Belize Tourism Board wants to raise the hotel accommodation tax from 9% to 12%. Panton says the public is still waiting for an independent audit of the $50 million bond floated for tourism infrastructure.
“Before asking visitors and businesses to contribute more, the BTB must provide a complete and independently verified account of how those funds were raised, managed and spent,” her statement reads.
Her broader argument is about competitiveness. Belize competes with destinations across the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico offering similar sun, nature and culture. Travellers compare total cost, flights, rooms, food, tours and fees together.
Three percentage points may look small on paper, she argues, but it adds up for families, groups and longer stay visitors already facing rising airfares.
Panton noted that the Belize Hotel Association and the Belize Tourism Industry Association have both come out strongly against the increase.
“Stay Awake Belize,” her statement concludes.
Would a higher room tax change your view of Belize as a destination?
