Belize is seeing a continued surge in tourism growth, according to the destinations’ year-end numbers.

Belize reported 385,583 overnight tourist arrivals in 2016, a 13 percent increase over 2015, the Belize Tourism Board said in a report.

That came after Belize grew by 6.2 percent in 2015 and 9.2 percent in 2014.

The 13 percent improvement was the fastest growth of any tourism destination in the Caribbean last year, a total increase of 44,422 visitors year-over-year.

“These successes are credited to the vigorous marketing, product development and expansion efforts of the Stakeholders in the industry and, with similar efforts and collaboration continuing into 2017, it is expected to see these increasing trends continue,” the tourism board said in a statement.

The soon-to-debut Itz’ana resort.

The destination was boosted last year by new flights from Canadian carrier WestJet, which began Toronto-Belize City flights in October, and Panama-based Copa.

Belize should also get a boost this year with the debut of the Naia Resort and the planned launch of the Itz’ana beach resort.

— Caribbean Journal Staff