belize caribbean
Cayo Espanto in Belize.
News

Belize Is the Caribbean’s Fastest-Growing Destination

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 1, 2018

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Belize’s 2018 tourism boom is showing no signs of slowing down.

The destination is the fastest-growing in the Caribbean this year so far, with a total of 372,075 stayover tourist arrivals through the end of September — a 16.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

belize caribbean

Belize.

It’s an impressive performance for a destination, buoyed in large part by significant growth in new air routes, from both United States-based carriers like Southwest Airlines and a surge from Canada and airlines like WestJet.

And there is more new airlift on the way, from new routes from Sun Country Airlines and a new route from AeroMexico, among others.

belize caribbean

“The most recent tourism statistics not only attest to this fact but they also show a consistent upward growth trend,” the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. “The years ahead promise to bring exciting developments at a time when our dynamic tourism industry is poised for further growth.”

belize caribbean

A rendering of the Marriott Belize.

Belize is also seeing a jump in new hotel development, with new brands like Curio Collection by Hilton, which recently debuted in Belize with the Mahogany Bay property, and Marriott, which is planning both a branded hotel and another hotel that will be part of its Autograph Collection.

That’s along with the highly-anticipated new Four Seasons Belize, which will be set on the private island of Caye Chapel.

belize caribbean

A rendering of the planned Four Seasons Belize.

The country is also seeing a surge in cruise passenger arrivals, with a 19.9 percent increase compared to the first nine months of 2017 — representing a total of 870,168 total cruise arrivals.

— CJ

Popular Posts nude beach yellow umbrellas

This is the Only Nude Beach Bar in the Caribbean 

For decades, it was one of the most famous (or infamous) places in the Caribbean: Club Orient, the beloved nudist resort set at the far southern corner of Orient Bay on the French side of St Martin.  In 2017, Hurricane […]


Heading to Saint Lucia? American Airlines Is Adding a New Flight.  

saint lucia tourism

The Pitons, the drive-in volcano, the chocolate, the floating water parks, the infinity pools.  Saint Lucia remains one of the most diverse destinations in the Caribbean, whether you’re seeking out a couples-only sanctuary in the rainforest or an authentic cacao […]


Planning a Punta Cana Vacation? Southwest Airlines Is Adding Flights From a New City

best all-inclusive resorts in punta cana

Austin. Detroit. Milwaukee. Hartford. Minneapolis. Providence. New Haven. What do they all have in common? It’s no secret that the largest source markets for Caribbean travel have been cities like New York, Miami and Chicago. In recent years, though, the […]


Related Posts barbados tourism caribbean

Barbados Tourism Minister Named Chairman of Caribbean Tourism Organization 

GRAND CAYMAN — Barbados Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill has been named chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.  Gooding-Edghill was named during the CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference.  He will take over the role as chairman of the CTO’s […]


Caribbean Hotel Pipeline Keeps Growing 

the family friendly resort on the beach

The Caribbean hotel pipeline continues to grow, according to a new report from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.  The region has what the CHTA called a “robust” pipeline of new activated hotel projects with more than 19,591 new rooms […]


Hilton Is Expanding to Guyana With Two Hotels 

hilton guyana hotels

Hilton is planning an expansion to the Caribbean’s fastest-growing economy: Guyana.  The company has signed an agreement for two new hotels in Guyana: a Hilton and a Doubletree Suites by Hilton.  The project, owned by an affiliate of Assets Group, […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You