The Inter-American Development Bank today announced the approval of a $11 million loan to Belize to strengthen the tourism sector and to preserve and protect environmental and cultural assets.
The resources will assist the government* in the implementation of components of a strategic tourism plan and includes development and conservation of major archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan civilizations, improvements in access to key tourist areas, and assistance to protect the barrier reef by seeking solutions to water supply and sewage treatment on Caye Caulker.
Community participation in the provision of tourist-related goods and services will be encouraged through microenterprise development, and key institutions in the tourism sector will be strengthened.
The Multilateral Investment Fund, an autonomous fund of the IDB, is expected to provide a grant of $1 million to support the program, and the Japan Consulting Fund Technical Cooperation granted $195,250 to examine alternatives in dealing with potable water and wastewater issues on Caye Caulker.
Local counterpart funds total $3 million.
Belize's Tourism Strategy Plan was developed with assistance from the IDB and the Canadian Technical Cooperation Funds. Concurrently, the European Union has financed the development of two Mayan archeology sites in southern Belize.
Earlier this year the IDB provided a $1.3 million grant to support the Mundo Maya project for the preservation of historical, environmental and cultural heritage in four countries of Central America and five states of Mexico.