Background Information

Technically a peninsular extending from the Yucatan and separated from Mexico by the Bacalar Chico channel, Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize spanning 25 miles in length. For the main part, the northern end of the Meso American Barrier Reef lies only 1/2 - 3/4 mile offshore and in fact Rocky Point to the north of the island and within the Bacalar Chico reserve, is the only known area in Belize where the reef converges with the shoreline.

Ambergris Caye is the leading tourist destination in Belize in terms of hotel revenues, and in 2007 offered the largest number of hotel rooms of the main tourist areas and enjoyed the highest occupancy rates in the country. Visitors are primarily attracted to the marine attractions of the area, specifically the diving and snorkeling upon which the tourism industry in San Pedro was traditionally based. Hol Chan Marine Reserve located only 4 miles south of the town, was the first marine reserve in Central America. With approximately 60, 000 visitors per year it is currently one of the most visited attractions in Belize by overnight tourists. The Light House Reef Atolls and one of Belize's signature attractions, the Blue Hole are also easily accessible from San Pedro. A second marine reserve and a national park, Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine reserve, were designated to the north of Ambergris Caye in 1996.

San Pedro Town is the only town on the island, having grown from a small fishing community to a diverse retail center and the second most populated urban center in the Belize District with a population of close to 9,000. Rapid development is occurring north and south along the coastline with recent implications for a shift in tourist activity away from the center of town. Chaotic infrastructure development is contributing to persistent shoreline erosion, loss of environmental and scenic quality and use conflicts. There are also limited opportunities to promote visitor and local appreciation for the coastal and marine ecosystems upon which Ambergris Caye's tourism depends.

Water taxis and small passenger aircraft, service connections from San Pedro to other parts of the island, Caye Caulker and the mainland, in addition to an international ferry connection with Chetumal, Mexico.

The approach for the Destination Management Plan is to strengthen physical planning in high use terrestrial and marine areas in combination with introducing technical solutions to immediate environmental problems and enhancing internationally recognized natural attractions.

STP INVESTMENT

Component 1:
The STP will invest in waterfront development: the Saca Chispas Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal, to create a new destination that will provide new opportunities for leisure, tourism and commerce within San Pedro Town and revitalize the core downtown area. The STP will also finance visitor facilities at Bacalar Chico National Park in northern Ambergris Caye

Component 2:
As part of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan process the STP will finance the development of a Physical Tourism Development Plan for Ambergris Caye, resulting in land use zoning for the entire caye, and future investment programs specifically for the environmental protection and restoration of San Pedro Town and Ambergris Caye North.