From Security to Property maintenance: Service businesses Belizeans should consider!

By Zoila Palma:  When we talk about jobs and economic opportunities in Belize, the conversation often focuses on becoming a teacher, nurse, police officer, accountant or obtaining a university degree.

But there is another side of the economy that deserves far more attention: service-based businesses.

From tourism and transportation to security, technology, maintenance and skilled trades, Belize needs people who can provide reliable services to households, businesses and visitors.

The demand is being driven by the growth and changing needs of the economy.

Belize’s 2026 national budget reported that job creation in 2025 was driven by service-oriented industries, particularly wholesale and retail trade and tourism.

Tourism remains one of the country’s major economic engines, supporting tens of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. The World Bank has also identified skilled-labour shortages in Belize and says its new country strategy will focus on developing a better-skilled workforce.

So, what types of service businesses could Belize use more of?

Tourism and Experience Services

Examples: tour companies, tour guides, transportation services, eco-tourism operators, cultural tours, fishing and adventure excursions, event planners and destination-management companies.

Tourism creates opportunities far beyond hotels and restaurants. The World Bank’s current Belize strategy identifies tourism as an important area for investment and job creation.

Security Services

Examples: private security companies, security guards, CCTV installation and monitoring, alarm systems, access-control systems and security consulting.

As businesses, homes, construction sites and commercial properties expand, there is an opportunity for professional security companies offering more than traditional guards. Belize is also investing heavily in security infrastructure, including communications systems and AI-enabled systems, creating opportunities for people trained in security technology.

Cleaning and Property-Maintenance Services

Examples: residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, post-construction cleaning, landscaping, lawn care, pressure washing, pool maintenance and property caretaking.

This is an area where relatively small businesses can start with limited equipment and grow. Hotels, offices, rental properties, restaurants, schools and homeowners all require regular maintenance.

Construction and Home-Improvement Services

Examples: electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, welding, masonry, painting, roofing, cabinetry, tiling, air-conditioning installation and general maintenance.

These are exactly the kinds of practical skills that can become businesses. A trained electrician, plumber, carpenter or welder does not necessarily need to wait for someone to hire them—they can build a customer base and eventually employ other Belizeans.

Information Technology and Digital Services

Examples: computer repair, website development, cybersecurity, cloud services, data analysis, digital marketing, graphic design and IT support.

The Government of Belize has identified cybersecurity, data analysis, UI/UX design and cloud engineering as among the most in-demand and currently lacking skills in the country’s global digital services sector.

Transportation and Delivery Services

Examples: airport transfers, tourist transportation, courier services, delivery companies, moving services, refrigerated transportation and specialized freight services.

As tourism, e-commerce, construction and business activity grow, so does the need to move people and products efficiently. Transportation is also closely connected to tourism and other sectors, meaning a well-run transportation company can serve multiple markets.

Agricultural and Agro-Processing Services

Examples: farm services, irrigation installation, agricultural equipment repair, food processing, packaging, cold storage, transportation and agricultural consulting.

Agriculture is not only about farming. There are businesses to be created around the farmer—from planting and harvesting services to processing, packaging, storage and transportation.

But for Belizeans to take advantage of these opportunities, we must also invest in the skills needed to provide these services.

Belize therefore needs to promote technical and vocational education, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship at the same time.

Schools can expose students to trades and practical skills earlier, businesses can provide more apprenticeship opportunities, and training institutions can work closely with employers to identify the skills the economy actually needs.

The goal should not only be to prepare young Belizeans to look for jobs, but also to equip them with the skills to create businesses, provide needed services and, eventually, employ others.

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