Excerts from the Belize National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan: see the whole @
http://www.sustainabletourismbz.org...p;task=cat_view&gid=34&Itemid=55The main pillar and inspiration of this Master Plan is CONSERVATION. Major tourism that differentiate Belize from other Caribbean and Central American destinations are the generally unspoiled natural environment and cultural resources. The Barrier Reef and Cays of Belize, and the Mayan antiquities are world class by any standard. The simple truth is that if the Tourism Industry in Belize is to provide a long-term benefit to Belize, the natural environment must take center stage in any and all planning regimes.
AMBERGRIS CAYE: Contain development and consolidate
Northern Islands: In Ambergris Caye, San Pedro will be regarded as a charming and attractive destination including a vibrant town with a walkable and attractive waterfront experience where beaches able to be enjoyed and unobstructed water scenery. Caye Caulker will continue to offer low-key charm along with attractive beaches and a cultural offering. Both destinations will provide a mainly nature-based niche product as well as nautical and sun&beach in second rank.
MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT
In terms of development the conceptual principle for the northern islands destination is to constrain the development and consolidate and improve what it has already been built. Keeping in mind the mentioned idea, both the existing settlements in Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are defined as infill and completion of existing town / village. The case of San Pedro is further developed in the following sections of this document. the proposed 338 new hotel rooms two different strategies are put in place. On the north tip of Ambergris Caye three very low density resort hotels are planned outside from Bacalar Chico National Park. In order to minimize the impacts on the environment the areas chosen have been previously disturbed
On second place the plan proposes some small low density new developments off the main road leading north and after the bridge north from San Pedro. The idea is to complete some of the areas that have already been recently urbanized. As commented on section 4 for Ambergris Caye this study proposes to develop studies to convert into hotel units the empty apartments or unfinished compounds built around the main road north from San Pedro
REFERENCE DENSITY
 Level 1 (around 4 units/acre - 10 units/hectare) : New developments north of San Pedro
 Level 2 (up to 20 units/acre - 50 units/ hectare): San Pedro, Caye Caulker, 3 designated areas north Ambergris Caye
ACCOMMODATION GROWTH MODEL
From 2012 to 2020, the Northern Islands will see the development of 233 new hotel rooms and a further 105 from 2021 until 2030, adding up to a total of 338 new hotel rooms by 2030. In order to maintain the occupancy rate on a positive growth track, no additional hotels should be introduced until 2013. These few years are recommended to be devoted to the development and distribution of special incentives for the restoration, embellishment and modernization of the existing tourism accommodation facilities.
In addition, a series of operational strategies are recommended to be identified in order to convert condominiums into hotel facilities or condo-hotels. This strategy was identified as especially Ambergris Caye's tourism industry experiences distress with condominium being empty for long periods at times and tourists who use them do not consume additional tourism services.
The first new hotels and resorts in the Northern Islands are recommended to open in 2014. The main developments are to open in 2015 and 2020 given that, mainly serving as a complement to the sun & beach resorts of the destination and northern area low-density luxury developments.
From 2025 onwards, only few hotels/hotel rooms with low density will be introduced