Belize Sees Big Tourism Rebound

By: - February 21st, 2016

After a sluggish peak tourist season, things were looking grim for tourism growth in Belize.

But a strong summer season put the Caribbean destination into a strong position by the end of the year.

Belize reported a 6.2 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2015, according to the latest data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

And while the country reported a 1.2 percent decline in the peak tourist season, it reported a significant 11.3 percent improvement in the summer season.

The country saw a particularly strong increase in arrivals from the United States, with an 8 percent increase compared to 2014, which softened the blow of a 9 percent reduction in tourism from Canada.

— CJ Staff

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