1. Tourism Training at the Tertiary Level in Belize
COBEC Conference 2018
Presentation by Kevin Geban
University of Belize

2. Belize’s Tourism Product
Largest barrier reef in this hemisphere
A host of Mayan Archaeological Sites
Pristine Rainforest
Multi-ethnic population that includes Creoles, Garifuna, Mayan, Mestizos, Chinese, and Mennonites, and Indians

3. Tourism: What it Means to the BZ Economy
Travel generated BZ$793 million in foreign exchange earnings in 2016.
Tourism is the nation’s largest industry.
Tourism is the nation’s largest service export generating 36.8% of foreign exchange.
One in 7 jobs are in tourism, 34.8% of total employment; 48,500 persons
Tourism accounts for 38.6% of GDP.
Source: 2016 Economic Impact Report, WTTC

4. Tourism Data 2017
427,109 overnight visitors and 1,014,231 cruise ship passenger arrivals
804 Hotels
9104 rooms
18,500 direct jobs
Source: BTB

5. Sustainable Tourism in Belize

6. National Sustainable Tourism Plan 2030 US$13.3m

7. Belize’s Assets Barrier Reef System Blue Hole Marine Reserve
Caracol Mayan Site
Chiquibul Caves Systems

8. Major Constraints Poor level of accessibility on land
Poor level of accessibility by air
Lack of sufficient and qualitative tourism services and facilities
Scarce Belizean made handicrafts
Inadequate natural and heritage asset management

9. Major Constraints Deficient communication and promotion of tourism
Insufficient waste disposal and sewage systems
Lack of urban planning
Lack of public awareness programme

10. Plan for 2030

11. 2030 Vision for Belize

12. Five Strategies Product Development Integrated Destination Development
Experiential Quality Enhancement
Empowerment of Stakeholders
Proactive Solution to funding sources

13. National Tourism Sustainability and Quality Assurance Macro Program
Plan for Education
National Tourism Sustainability and Quality Assurance Macro Program
The results of the tourism sector diagnostics showed that currently Belize's human resources are insufficiently trained in hospitality operational and management skills

14. Three areas of focus for Education
Hospitality Tourism Training Certifications and Degree Courses
Tour Guide Training and Accreditation
Development of the Hospitality & Tourism Polytechnic Institute of Belize

15. Tourism and Environment in the Curriculum
Primary Level: Social Studies
Content Standard #5 : Resources
Recognize useful things and actions as resources. Identify and classify resources in their natural regions, assess
their role in the social, economic and political development of the country and explain conservation and preservation
efforts.

16. Tourism and Environment in the Curriculum
Primary Level: Tourism
Content Standard #6: Tourism
Demonstrate knowledge of tourism as an industry. Identify and locate the various resources that Belize has to offer to enhance the industry. Explain the impact (including negative) of tourism on the environment and people of Belize. (social, economical, political, aesthetic/environmental)

17. The High School Situation
All students do Integrated Science in the upper standards
This includes environmental study
An Introductory Tourism course is voluntary in 4th form for General Studies majors

18. ITVET
Offers Certificate programmes in tourism: Front Office, Hospitality Services, Food Preparation, Recreation, and Hospitality Management

19. The Junior College Scenario
7 Junior Colleges offer tourism as an option for Associates degree
All integrate sustainable tourism in their content
Some use the specific sustainable tourism course from CTO’s CTLS standardized curriculum

20. The Universities Galen University is a private university
Bachelor degree and Master’s Degree in Tourism was offered but have been discontinued

21. University of Belize
University of Belize uses CTO’s CTLS standardized programme for the Associates Degree in Tourism Studies
This includes a specific course on Sustainable Tourism

22. University of Belize Also runs a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management
Partner with the Natural Resources Management programme to integrate 9 credits of NRM courses into the programme

25. How COBEC Partners can Help?
Hospitality Institute
International Internships

26. Muchas Gracias mis Companeros del COBEC