Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) (http://www.ecotourismconference.org) Presentation by Gale Ozaeta, Belize Tourism Board, presented September 2011. Session: 1.2 Cruise Tourism and Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Sustainability Challenges Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org), the ESTC is a unique tourism industry annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

1. This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry. Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.orgemail info@ecotourism.org | tel +1 202 506 5033

2. Belize’s Strategy to Addressing Challenges and Promoting Sustainability Presented by the Belize Tourism Board September 20th, 2011

3. How Cruise Tourism Evolved in Belize First recorded cruise ship to visit Belize was in 1991with 90 passengers As a result of $20 head tax being charged per cruise passenger, there was a sharp decline in the arrival numbers in the mid 90’s In 1998, the Government of Belize signed its first contract with Premier Cruise Lines after dropping the head tax to $5 per person Norwegian Cruise Line sailed to Belize in 1998 and Carnival Cruise Lines sailed to Belize in the year 2000

4. Overview of Cruise Tourism Development Cruise Ship Arrivals to Belize 2000 – 2010

5. Challenges Faced with Cruise Tourism Development Location of current cruise port Number of qualified tour guides Quality of products and services Small local operators not being able to compete Safety & Security New Cruise Port Development

6. Working to Address Sustainability Challenges Zoning for visitor use Visitor site planning and design Sustainable infrastructure design Capacity Building with tour operators Developing Quality Assurance standards Policy Development

7. References:www.sustainabletourismbz.org, www.belizetourism.orgwww.travelbelize.orgThank YouQuestions?