February 28, 2018 - Vol 1: Tourism on the Rise!
Tourism on the Rise! 2018 Outlook and Opportunities
According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), overnight tourism grew by 10.8% and cruise tourism grew by 3.7% in 2017, when compared to 2016. In 2017 also, there were many notable successes, as Belize won multiple World Travel Awards in various categories, including being named one of the "must visit" locations by the New York Times . The awards kept coming, as the Financial Times, via its fDi magazine, awarded Belize "Best Tourism Location of the Future 2017/ 2018", with specific distinctions in "Best Investment Awards - Hotels", "Best Enhanced Airlift", and "Best Sustainable Strategy". This year, Belize anticipates yet another record year of growth with multiple investment opportunities in tourism.
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Success Stories
(1) Curio by Hilton: Mahogany Bay Village
(2) Maya Group Limited: Maya Island Air

Fostering Development Through the Sustainable Tourism Programme
In 2008, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), funded the Sustainable Tourism Programme I (STP I: 2009 - 2014). The programme invested in nine tourist destinations to strengthen the tourism industry's contribution to the national economy, by consolidating the overnight tourism market with investment and activities to enhance the Belizean tourism experience. Recognizing Belize as a world class cultural and natural asset, the Sustainable Tourism Programme II (STP II: 2015 - 2020) signed in 2014, aims to further increase the contribution of the tourism industry in emerging destinations.
Project Opportunity: Embarcadero Plaza
Project Name: Embarcadero Plaza and Tourism Development
Sector: Tourism - Mixed Use Development
Status: Open
Location: San Ignacio / Santa Elena - Cayo District

Project Summary
The project focuses on the development of Embarcadero Plaza located in the heart of San Ignacio Town near the Cayo Welcome Center.Currently, the first and second floors of the property are leased out to various commercial tenants and the opportunity exists to enhance the local tourism product by developing the third floor with apartments / hotel rooms to accommodate the rapidly growing overnight tourism market.
 
The project developers have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the San Ignacio / Santa Elena Municipalities seeking to develop a deck along the banks of the Macal River, including a historic riverwalk, business kiosks, a water park, a multi-landing zipline as well as a waste water treatment area.

Total Est. Capital Investment: USD $5,000,000
Total Est. Capital Required: USD $2,500,000
Estimated Return on Investment: 10%
Preferred Sources of Capital: Equity / Debt / Other
Preferred Mode of Investment: Joint Venture Partnership / Sale

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Contact BelizeINVEST, a Unit of BELTRAIDE, for more details.
14 Orchid Garden Street
City of Belmopan, Belize
Phone: +501-822-3737 / 0175
Email: investment@belizeinvest.org.bz
Skype: belizeinvest