Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed substantial growth in 2023, showcasing a resilient recovery after facing unprecedented challenges.
Belize Tourism Board (BTB) in a statement said the recently released preliminary tourism arrival figures reveal a noteworthy surge in both overnight stays and cruise ship visits, underscoring the destination’s appeal and the industry’s steadfast rebound.
Overnight stays in 2023 experienced a remarkable 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year, totaling 464,717.
While this achievement is commendable, there was a 7.6 per cent gap compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
A shining moment in Belize’s tourism narrative is December 2023, when the country recorded the second-highest overnight tourist arrival for any given month in its history, welcoming a remarkable 55,574 visitors. This notable accomplishment underscores the destination’s allure and signals a positive trajectory for the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, cruise ship visits saw a remarkable 47 per cent surge from 2022, totalling 904,189. This trails behind 2019 figures by 23 per cent.
Notably, January 10, 2024, represented the single busiest day Belize experienced this cruise ship season with four ships – namely Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Sky Princess, and Regal Princess – calling on Belize with approximately 16,000 passengers on board.
This year Belize is expected to welcome 950,000 plus cruise visitors.
BTB added that the tourism sector remains poised for further growth, offering an optimistic outlook for the industry’s continued recovery.