UDP says higher hotel tax and domestic aviation fee could make Belize too expensive

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The United Democratic Party is calling on Government to shelve a proposed increase in the hotel accommodation tax and reconsider a new $10 domestic aviation security charge, arguing that mounting costs could weaken Belize’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

The UDP says the proposed increase in the accommodation tax from 9% to 12.5% should not move ahead until an independent economic impact assessment examines its likely effects on hotel occupancy, visitor spending, employment and small tourism businesses.

Belize’s tourism industry has already pushed back against the proposed increase. Both the Belize Hotel Association and Belize Tourism Industry Association have expressed concern that raising the tax could make Belize more expensive relative to competing destinations.

The UDP also wants Government to review the cumulative impact of the newly approved BZ$10 aviation security fee on passengers departing Belize’s municipal airports. Cabinet approved that surcharge following enhanced security measures introduced after the April 2025 Tropic Air hijacking.

The party argues that when higher hotel taxes are combined with fuel, electricity, food and transportation costs, both visitors and businesses ultimately face a significantly more expensive tourism product.

The post UDP says higher hotel tax and domestic aviation fee could make Belize too expensive appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.