As indicated by record-high figures as for the month of October 2004, the country has been welcoming an increasing number of visitors through the border points…
As indicated by record-high figures as for the month of October 2004, the country has been welcoming an increasing number of visitors through the border points , cruise ship port, and the international airport.
The most recent report for total tourist arrivals (exclusive of cruise passengers), which includes arrivals via land, air, and sea, show that January to October, 2004 recorded an increase of 18.5% over the same period in 2003. Belize was host to a total of 191,765 overnight visitors for the period January – October this year, surpassing the 183,233 recorded in 2003. A noteworthy interest contributing to the increase in October arrivals was an upsurge of European visitors by 36.4%.
The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) recorded a 6.5% increase for the period January through October, 2004. For October, there was an increase of 10.8% compared to October, 2003. It is noteworthy to mention that with November and December figures yet to report, and Delta Airlines flight commencing on December 11th, January –October, 2004 arrivals at PGIA already represents 88.3% of the entire 2003 total.
The cruise sector continues to show growth as 319 ships called to Belize’s port during the period January – October, 2004, accounting for 670,167 passengers. This represents an increase of 62.8% over the same period in 2003 when there were 411,646 cruise passengers recorded.
“Efficiency and productivity is a fundamental principle at the Belize Tourism Board. The positive growth trend we have seen this year should encourage both public and private sectors to extend even greater efforts to expand our markets,” comments Tourism Director, Tracy Taegar-Panton. “BTB will continue to work diligently to develop local and international initiatives in order to increase the country’s exposure as a first-class vacation destination and by extension, attract visitors from the world over. “
Recently, Belize hosted the editors of Outside Magazine, boasting an overall readership of 645,933 and René John-Sandy, editor of Black Diaspora Magazine, boasting an overall readership of 214,882. Additionally, members of the international media representing various magazines in the United States, Shape (circulation of 1,640,871), Women’s Health (circulation of 450,000), New York Post (circulation of 686,207) and the Galveston Daily News (circulation 42,875) were also in Belize for a familiarization visit.
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