Home  Tour Operators Tour Operator Overview
Tour operators play an important part in Belize’s tourism network as
they provide tourism related services to the numerous travelers who are
eager to discover Belize, Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret. By
conducting thorough research into the various tourism services offered
in Belize, tour operators are able to negotiate and enter into
contracts with suppliers to put together exciting itineraries and
attention-grabbing tour packages.
By being ethical, Belize’s
tour operators assure visitors that they are traveling with
professionals whose aim is to deliver quality service and value for
their money.
A tour operator is defined as:
- An individual, company or entity that operates and markets tour packages internationally, and subcontracts the provision of tour services to another individual, company, or entity in Belize;
- An individual, company or entity that operates and markets tour packages internationally and executes, arranges organizes and/or coordinates tour packages of any nature to guests and visitors to Belize;
- An individual, company, or entity which, either wholly or in part, provides, arranges or organizes tour journeys, or tourist services for visitors to Belize by way of transport, accommodation, tours or guides;
- An individual, company or entity which executes arranges, organizes and/or coordinates dive and marine-based tour services.
Ground Handling Operation Services: services provided by a tour operator who does not market tour packages, but executes or provides tour packages on the ground to tourists or guests
In 1999 when the Tour Operators Regulation was established a total of 51 tour operators were offering their services in Belize. Today that number has quadrupled. Visitors rely on tour operators to create vacation packages that may be comprised of airfare, accommodations, transportation, and trips. Tour operators purchase vacation components such as hotel room, meals, tours, etc. at wholesale prices, assemble them into packages, then offer travelers a complete vacation package. Tour operators may be based locally or may manage holiday packages from offices outside Belize.
The Belize National Tour Operators Association (BNTOA) lobbies government according to the interests and concerns of the organization wile the Belize Tour Operator's Licensing Committee is responsible for the licensing or revocation of licenses, setting protocols, and establishing guidelines.
Licensed tour operators are required to utilize only licensed tour guides, to maintain valid licenses and insured tour safety equipment, possess valid insurance and take all necessary steps to safeguard the environmental, moral, historical and cultural integrity of Belize.
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