The tourism industry is fragile. It is very important that we learn about the challenges so we can respond to them

1. CHALLENGES FACING
THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

2.  Security of Funding: significant investment is required from
the private and public sector for facilities, major
infrastructure development and modernizing and upgrading
existing facilities.
 Marketing: extensive marketing and promotion requires high
levels of spending- some tourism business and tourist
ministries do not have the funds.
 Research: industry requires more research
 Shortage of trained workforce and inadequate training:
limited training facilities exist through out the Caribbean
 Water supply and infrastructure: Providing sufficient
quantities of water can be challenging and expensive, and
needs to be balanced with the requirements of the natural
environment.
CHALLENGES

3.  Global terrorism: This deters people from travelling because
they feel unsafe,, while others may be put off by delays
caused by security checks
 Lack of Direct air access: Some Caribbean islands lack direct
access from their major tourist generating markets because
there are no scheduled carriers servicing the route or the
airports are not large enough to accommodate large
international aircraft
 Emerging destinations: They pose competition to the
Caribbean
1. because they offer similar experiences at competitive prices
2. Are nearer the traditional markets in the US and Europe
CHALLENGES

4.  Tourist are looking at value for money and there are those
who are conscious of the pressure to reduce the long haul
flights because of the alleges impact on climate change.
 Cruise ship policies: Port taxes and fees are charged by the
government and port authorities to cruise operators to cover
the cost of docking and use of the port facilities. Some
governments also charge a head tax per passenger, which is
used to maintain and improve port services and
infrastructure. All these costs are passed on to the
passengers.
 If one government’s charges are higher than another’s, a
cruise ship operator may shift their business to a cheaper
destination. To avoid this governments need to agree on
uniform taxes and fees.
CHALLENGES

5.  Belize experienced a decline in cruise ship tourism during the
1990s, due in part to high taxes and limited development and
services. The industry revived and passenger numbers
increased. This was met with mixed feelings, but the
government decided that cruise tourism was an important
component of the tourism industry and set about developing
suitable policies. A Cruise Tourism Advisory Committee was
established comprising the director of product development,
Belize Tourist Board and representatives from a cross-section
of the cruise tourism industry and related government
ministries and agencies
CASE STUDY

6.  What do you think contributed to the “recovery” of the
Belizean tourism industry?
 Why would there be “mixed feelings” about re-establishing
cruise tourism in Belize?
 If you were to be the Minister of Tourism for Belize tell me one
policy you would implement to ensure the success of the
industry?
 How important is it for the government to collaborate with
other stakeholders such as community members and tourism
operators?
QUESTIONS