Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires“Board” means the Belize Tourism Board established under the Belize Tourism Board Act; CAP. 275. “Committee” means the Tour Operators Committee established under regulation 3 below; “drug” means a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act; CAP. 103. “ground handling operation tour services” means services provided by a tour operator who does not market tour packages, but executes or provides tour packages on the ground to tourists or guests; “licence” means a licence issued under these Regulations and “licence holder” shall be construed accordingly; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Tourism; “tour operator” means, subject to regulation 6(2) below– (a) a Belizean citizen, or permanent resident with the business of tour operator defined as his occupation on his permanent residency 19 permit, who falls into one of the various categories set out in subregulation (2) below; or (b) an entity which is controlled by a majority of Belizeans or permanent residents of Belize, or a company whose majority shareholding is owned by Belizean citizens or permanent residents, which falls into one of the various categories set out in subregulation (2) below. (2) The various categories referred to in the definition of “tour operator” in subregulation (1) above are– (a) an individual, company or entity that operates and markets tour packages internationally, and also executes complete tour packages of any nature to guests, including transportation within Belize, lodgings, meals, and guided tours to tourist sites in Belize by air, sea or land, including guided dive and snorkeling tours to tourist sites within the territorial waters of Belize; (b) an individual, company or entity that executes countrywide tour packages of any nature to guests and offers lodgings, meals and guided tours to tourist sites in Belize by air, sea or land; (c) an individual, company, or entity that executes localized tour packages of any nature to guests and offers lodgings, meals and guided tours to tourist sites in Belize by air, sea or land; (d) an individual, company or entity (including without limitation all types of hotels and tourist accommodation as defined in the Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Act) that CAP. 285. 20 is involved in executing ground handling operation tour services, either of a complete nature or a segment thereof, and which works or represents international interests, or works with international tour individuals, companies or entities in partnership through satellite operations, strategic alliances or otherwise; (e) an individual, company, or entity that operates and markets tour packages internationally and subcontracts the provision of tour services to another individual, company, or entity in Belize; (f) an individual, company, or entity that operates and markets tour packages internationally and executes, arranges, organizes and/or co- ordinates tour packages of any nature to guests and visitors to Belize; (g) an individual, company, or entity which, either wholly or in part, provides, arranges, or organizes tours, journeys, or tourist services for visitors to Belize by way of transport, accommodation, tours, or guides; (h) an individual, company, or entity which executes, arranges, organizes and/or coordinates dive and marine-based tour services.