New Guidelines For Timeshare Sales

Several reports have reached the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) office regarding Time Share Operators (TSO) on Ambergris Caye. Complaints were of tourists getting beleaguered by TSO’s when they were enjoying their relaxing vacation on “La Isla Bonita.”
On Thursday, December 8th, 2005, representatives of the various TSO’s met with Lloyd Enriquez, Registrar of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, police officer and members of the San Pedro Town Council to come to an amicable resolution. During this important meeting, the Off-Premises Contact (OFC) was thoroughly discussed and the following were the conclusions reached:

All TSO were asked to cease and desist from soliciting time share sales in public areas, which means no soliciting on the streets or beaches, effective immediately.

The second resolution reached was that all TSO’s need to apply for a trade license for their respective time share booths at the San Pedro Town Council. These booths will be confined to private properties or buildings and no licenses will be granted for booths residing in public areas. The San Pedro Town Council will embark on this feat to ensure that all unlicensed booths be removed from the streets of San Pedro Town and that the proper procedures regarding trade licenses are followed.

With regards to the issuance of a license under the Hotel and Tourist Accommodations Act, Chapter 285 of the laws of Belize, these stipulations will compromise part of the terms and conditions of said license. Application must be received for the licenses prior to December 31st, 2005.

These agreements will outline the terms and conditions of the Time Share Operator’s License issued by the BTB. Although TSO were given the opportunity to police themselves according to the regulations, enforcing these laws will be the San Pedro Town Council, Belize Tourism Board and the San Pedro Police Department. Any TSO who breaks said regulations will be faced with penalties, ranging from issuance of violation tickets, suspension or cancellation of their license to operate and the complete closure of the property.

TSO’s present at the meeting were The Villas at Banyan Bay, Captain Morgan’s Vacation Club, Aquamarina Suites, Seven Seas Resort, Costa Maya Reef Resort and the Belize Yacht Club (Island Club Resorts).