Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2025. 6:48 am CST.
By Horace Palacio: The Government of Belize is considering raising the Hotel Tax from 9% to 12.5%, a move that would have direct impacts on tourists, hoteliers, and the broader tourism economy. But before a single decimal is added to that percentage, Belizeans are rightfully asking: Where is the money we already contribute going?
This proposed increase comes amid a period of booming growth in the tourism sector, with record-breaking arrivals and new investments. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, the tax hike is part of a broader plan to strengthen the country’s tourism infrastructure and generate additional revenue to support national development.
In a January 23rd interview with News 5, Prime Minister Briceño stated:
“I do believe the tourism industry needs to pay their fair share. We have invested tens of millions of dollars in the tourist industry, and we taxpayers have paid for it. When you put infrastructure development and beach development and marketing—you name it. And now it is time. This industry is growing and growing the fastest ever; we are the fastest-growing tourism in the region. So now we have done all that. I think it is only fair to get back some of that money and give relief to people who need it most. It is the lower middle class. We want to build more middle class.”
While the Prime Minister’s argument hinges on equity and national growth, many Belizeans are asking for something very simple in return: transparency—especially from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the statutory body responsible for managing tourism revenue.
The BTB collects millions of dollars annually from hotel taxes, cruise passenger levies, and tour operator fees. But there is no consistent, independently audited, publicly released accounting of how those funds are spent. Grand marketing campaigns, foreign trade show expenses, influencer promotions—what’s the return on investment? Who are the beneficiaries? And what percentage of those funds truly reach grassroots tourism operators or community-based tourism initiatives?
In short: we don’t know.
And without knowing, the proposed hotel tax hike feels more like a blank check than a strategic move.
Belizeans deserve to see:
• How many millions are collected annually through hotel tax?
• How those funds are allocated by the BTB?
• What measurable results are being produced for Belize’s economy?
• Who audits the BTB and when was the last report made public?
Whether or not political motivations are at play, the concern is valid: a tax increase without transparency and oversight is a recipe for public distrust. This is not an attack on tourism. Belizeans recognize its value. But we also recognize that statutory bodies like the BTB operate with minimal public accountability, and that cannot continue—especially when the cost of tourism is about to rise.
If we are to grow as a nation, then we must also grow in responsibility, governance, and openness. Before any new tax is imposed, the government should mandate full, independent audits of the BTB and publish those results.
Because if Belizeans are going to pay more, they deserve to see where every dollar is going.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Horace Palacio, and do not necessarily reflect the views or editorial stance of Breaking Belize News.
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The post Time to audit the BTB: Why Belizeans deserve full transparency before any hotel tax hike appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
The Government of Belize is considering raising the Hotel Tax from 9% to 12.5%, a move that would have direct impacts on tourists, hoteliers, and the broader tourism economy. But before a single decimal is added to that percentage, Belizeans are rightfully asking: Where is the money we already contribute going?
The post Time to audit the BTB: Why Belizeans deserve full transparency before any hotel tax hike appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.