About the Ministry
The Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations serves as the Government of Belize’s principal institution for policy leadership, strategic planning, and oversight in the areas of tourism development, diaspora engagement, youth empowerment, and sports advancement.
The Ministry is committed to promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening connections with the Belizean diaspora, fostering the personal and professional growth of young people, and enhancing national sports participation and excellence. Through its departments and affiliated agencies, the Ministry works to advance Belize’s social and economic development, national unity, and international presence.
Roles & Responsibilities
The Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations strives to fulfil the following roles and responsibilities:
Sector Coordination & Integration
Seeks to build awareness, mainstream activities, and coordinate efforts, through the alignment of policy, strategy, plan and implementation mechanisms across key sectors for the sustainable development of tourism, diaspora, youth and sports in Belize.
Policy Development
Leads the development, review, effective implementation, and monitoring of national and sector-based policies to support the implementation of key needs and priorities of the tourism sector, youth and sports and the Belizean Diaspora.
Tourism Planning & Resource Mobilization
Carries out participatory and evidence-based planning of tourism assets and Diaspora priorities, while leveraging and mobilizing capital funds for their implementation, with attention to youth development and the promotion of sports.
Governance
Strives to create a tourism sector and Belizean diaspora engagement that is fair, transparent, accountable, and inclusive, with meaningful opportunities for youth and the advancement of sports.
Facilitation of External Relations
Supports the building of international linkages through bilateral and multilateral platforms to promote and strengthen Belize’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, while fostering the effective participation and engagement of the Belizean Diaspora in Belize’s development, with emphasis on youth opportunities and the advancement of sports.
Project Execution
Oversees the implementation of projects aligned with national and local tourism priorities, while enhancing the engagement and participation of the Belizean Diaspora in Belize’s development, with a focus on opportunities for youth and the advancement of sports.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
Supports the drafting, review, and oversight of legislative frameworks for tourism and diaspora relations, with considerations for youth development and the advancement of sports.
Guiding Principles
The Ministry of Tourism, Diaspora Relations, Youth, and Sports strives to build upon the following four guiding principles:
Responsive
To the changing dynamics of global tourism and the participation of the Belizean Diaspora in the development of Belize, updating Belize’s legal and regulatory framework, in order to ensure sustainable economic growth in Belize.
Innovative
Integrating information, communication and technology to develop Belize’s tourism industry and our engagement with the Belizean Diaspora.
Resilient
To build a resilient tourism sector and engagement program for the Belizean Diaspora that takes advantage of its vast natural and cultural resources, diverse people, and competitive advantages to underpin a sustainable future for Belize.
Involved
Continuous planning, monitoring and management of tourism development and of the engagement of the Belizean Diaspora, through local & global inclusion.