After facing unprecedented challenges due to the global pandemic, Belize’s tourism sector has bounced back in 2023 with impressive results. The preliminary tourism arrival figures for 2023 show a significant increase in both overnight stays and cruise ship visits, reflecting the destination’s attractiveness and the industry’s determination.

According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), overnight stays in 2023 rose by 25% compared to 2022, reaching 464,717. This is a commendable achievement, although it still falls short of the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 7.6%. A highlight of Belize’s tourism performance in 2023 was December, when the country recorded the second-highest monthly overnight tourist arrival in its history, with 55,574 visitors. This demonstrates the destination’s appeal and the positive trend for the tourism industry.

Cruise ship visits also saw a remarkable growth of 47% from 2022, totaling 904,189. This is still behind the 2019 figures by 23%. However, January 10, 2024 marked the busiest day of the cruise ship season for Belize, with four ships – Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Sky Princess, and Regal Princess – bringing approximately 16,000 passengers on board. Belize expects to welcome more than 950,000 cruise visitors in 2024. The BTB stated that these encouraging figures are a testament to the collective efforts and resilience of the industry stakeholders, local communities, and the BTB itself.

Belize remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism growth, ensuring the well-being of visitors, and preserving the unique cultural and natural treasures that make Belize a sought-after destination. The positive momentum observed in 2023 serves as an evidence of Belize’s enduring appeal and its ability to adapt to evolving travel dynamics. As the country looks ahead, the tourism sector remains poised for further growth, offering an optimistic outlook for the industry’s continued recovery.

Photo by Meritt Thomas