Statistics

Figures released from the Immigration Department indicated that total tourism arrivals for 2008 has recorded a total of 245,026 visitors to Belize, representing a decrease of 2.5% over 2007.

The United States, which accounts for approximately 60% of total arrivals to Belize, demonstrated a 3.2% decrease in market share whereas Canadians and Europeans were steady travellers showing an increase of 6.2% and 0.3% respectively over 2007. Canadians represent approximately 6% of total arrivals and Europeans, 13%.

Factors affecting Belize’s primary market, the United States, included soft travel by Americans during an election year, the financial downturn of the U.S. economy, increases in the cost of world oil and food prices, and the rising unemployment rate particularly over the last quarter of 2008.

Official cruise figures have reported a decrease of 4.3% in 2008 as compared to 2007. There were 597,370 recorded cruise passengers in 2008 on board the 274 ships that called in Belize. When comparing 2007 with 2008, the actual calls are only down 4 ships which accounts for a difference of 30,970 passengers. There were a number of cancellations for 2008 where vessels that were schedule to call had to cancel because of inclement weather or changes in route.

The outlook for 2009 indicates that travel and tourism will see an average decline in average length of stay and expenditure, however, there exists opportunities for Belize with its target market. The National Leisure Travel Monitor indicates that 56% of travellers will take the same number of trips they took last year, while 27% of them said they would take more trips, 16% said they would take less and only 1% said they would not travel. Travellers are looking for destinations such as the Caribbean and Central America that are closer to home and where the dollar goes further. Moreover, there is a growing appeal for adventure and eco-travel interest.

The Belize Tourism Board continues to aggressively market Belize in the United States, Canada, Europe and Central America as emerging destination that have also shown tourism appeal . The months of Jan and February have seen a series of Belize presentations to the international consumers, travel agents in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, London, Belgium. The BTB also works closely with the international press to secure Belize stories in major publications, on radio shows and on television programs in the United States and Canada.

"Despite the conditions affecting the world economy, the forecast for travel indicates that there will be a desire to travel, and tourism has resisted downturn better than other economic sectors" comments Director of Tourism, Tracy Panton. "We continue to build our relationships with the international trade, consumers and press as well build on our cooperative marketing efforts with the Belize private sector," Panton went on to say.

For updates on marketing initiatives, please visit our website at www.belizetourism.org.