Belize Tourism Overview

BELIZE TOURISM OVERVIEW

1 Belize Tourism Overview

Table Of Contents Tourism Industry Overview ................................................................... ……….3 Overnight Tourism Arrivals ............................................................................ 4 Cruise Passenger Arrivals ............................................................................... 6 Investment Opportunities .............................................................................. 8 Tourism Awards ............................................................................................. 9 Introducing BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE .......................................................... 10

2 Belize Tourism Overview

Tourism Industry Overview The Government of Belize pledges its unwavering commitment to foster the continued growth of the Tourism industry. As an industry with top national priority, Belize has been reaping unprecedented success in gaining international exposures via the launch of aggressive and coordinated promotional campaigns, while attracting new international flights from cities crossing the region with plans to expand globally.

The Belizean Tourism industry has demonstrated success and commitment to maintain the authenticity of its attractions, fostering an attractive platform for investors looking to cater to the growing number of experience-based tourists. Belize’s excellent natural resources and strong Cultural Heritage allows for EcoTourism, Adventure and Cultural Tourism to flourish as its main Tourism motivations. In addition, secondary Tourism opportunities range from Nautical, Cruise, Sun and Beach, and Leisure and Entertainment.

The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185 miles of the country’s coastline and is the largest reef system in the northern hemisphere

The Southeast Coast is a paradise of culture and nature.

Home to the howler monkeys and numerous rare bird species, Central Belize is perfect for travelers seeking nature and history

The North Islands are all about immersion.

Discover the true meaning of island-living

Discover the culture mecca of the Maya and Garifuna, in the heart of some impressive jungle preserves.

Northern Belize is home to one of the largest Maya Cities, and the native Mestizo Culture.

Cayo is blessed with a little bit of everything adventurous‌

3 Belize Tourism Overview

Overnight Tourism Arrivals Overnight Tourism Arrivals has been flourishing over the past years in Belize. 2018 has seen yet another record breaking year, revealing a 14.6% growth in overnight arrivals – making it one of the largest increases in the last decade by having an increase of 232,249 overnight visitors in 2009 to 489,261 in 2019.

Having an increase of over 62,000 overnight visitors is only one side of the success story, as the average length of stay remains at 6.3 days and daily visitor expenditure is at $148 USD. The National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (NSTMP 2030) which aims to foster and create a competitive and sustainable approach for the tourism industry in Belize, has set the goal for achieving 556,000 overnight visitors by 2030. It is important to note that as of year 2018, that goal may be achieved at a sooner time than projected.

Overnight Tourist Arrivals to Belize +14.6%

600,000

556,000

500,000 489,261

400,000

427,109 385,583

300,000

321,220

341,161

294,177

200,000

100,000

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2030

(Source: Belize Tourism Board, 2018)

Overnight Market Analysis 4 Belize Tourism Overview

Due to close proximity and international connectivity majority of the overnight visitors are from North America, with roughly 65.45% traveling from USA and 7.19% from Canada respectively. Europe is Belize’s second largest market with 12.12%.

Average Room Rate, Current Room Stock, and RevPAR 2018 in USD AREA

Average Room Rate

Room Stock

RevPAR

Ambergris

$222.15

2,253

$86.65

Placencia

$191.89

994

$68.73

Other Islands

$154.23

409

$61.18

Stann Creek

$141.72

669

$64.45

Cayo

$121.86

1,333

$54.90

Toledo

$101.54

312

$12.58

Belize District

$93.47

925

$44.24

Caye Caulker

$86.27

909

$42.73

Orange Walk

$74.89

268

$27.31

Corozal

$53.18

363

$13.10

(Source: Belize Tourism Board, 2018)

5 Belize Tourism Overview

Cruise Passenger Arrivals The year 2018 was yet another record breaking year for cruise passenger arrivals, with over 1.2 million passengers arriving in Belize. This entailed a significant 19.1% increase from year 2017. In terms of figures, it represented over 190,000 more cruise passengers that visited Belize. Furthermore, the total cruise ship calls stood at 392 in 2018, showing significant increase from 336 calls in 2017.

According to the NSTMP 2030, the goal is to achieve 1.5 million Cruise Passenger Arrivals by 2030. As seen in the graph below, year 2018 experienced an outstanding 1.2 million arrivals, showing promise to achieve the goal way before the projected goal.

Cruise Passenger Arrivals to Belize 1,600,000

+19.9%

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,200,000

1,208,137 1,000,000

968,131

800,000 600,000

1,014,231 957,975 1,005,394

677,350

400,000 200,000 0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2030

Tourist Stop-over in Belize by Month (January – October)

(Source: Belize Tourism Board, 2018)

6 Belize Tourism Overview

Main Activities

(Source: Belize Tourism Board, 2018) Belize offers cruise tourists the opportunity to visit the fascinating mainland and the extraordinary coastline, by means of numerous excursions, tours and activities which are organized daily. Cruise tourism involves pleasure trips by ship, where the voyage itself and the ship’s amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way.

7 Belize Tourism Overview

Investment Opportunities Guided by the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for 2030, investment opportunities were identified to promote the continuous sustainable growth of the tourism industry in Belize with opportunities for both the private and public sector in the following areas: Nature Tourism focusing on projects such as Inland Adventure Eco-lodge which can be developed throughout Belize, and projects such as diving and fishing lodge which can be developed along Belize’s 185 mile long coast line and various islands.

Hotel and Conference Facilities in the growing business metropolis of Belize City, and the country capital, Belmopan City.

Luxury Boutique Hotels, in growing destinations such as Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia and in new emerging destinations such as Cayo District, Corozal District, Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Beachfront Resorts: on both inland destinations along the coast such as Corozal, Placencia, Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Punta Gorda Town and also on island destinations such as Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and a variety of other islands.

Facilities for Cruise Tourism such as commercial centers featuring shopping, restaurants, cafes, bars and attractive entertainment centers in the Belize District.

Nautical Tourism, in developing structures for a system of marinas, ports and services along Belize’s coastline and islands, aimed at attracting tourists journeying in yachts, sail boats, and charter boats.

Investment opportunities in Medical-Tourism include: Dentistry, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Preventative Medicine, Physical Rehabilitation, Spa and Wellness.

Auto-Rental, featuring branded auto rental services in major ports of entry, such as the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, the Santa Elena Border Station at the Northern Border with Mexico, and the Belize Western Border Station at the Western border with Guatemala.

8 Belize Tourism Overview

Tourism Awards Trip Advisor Awards • Several Belizean Accommodations included in Best Hotels of 2019 Top Awards List World Travel Awards • Ka'ana Resort, Belize - Mexico & Central America's Leading Boutique Resort for 2015 – 2017 •

Ambergris Caye - Mexico & Central America's Leading Destination for 2015 – 2017

fDi Magazine Awards • Best Investment Awards – Hotels •

Best Enhanced Airlift

•

Best Sustainable Strategy

The New York Times: 57 Places to Go in 2017 • Placencia, Belize – Listed as #42, citing the opening of Naïa Resort and Spa and Itz’ana Resort & Residences.

9 Belize Tourism Overview

Introducing BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) is a statutory body, operating within the portfolio of the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce mandated to perform duties and functions related to: Trade Development and Promotion, Investment Generation and Promotion, Enterprise development and Facilitation, and Training.

BELTRAIDE has dedicated a Unit, BelizeINVEST, with emphases on: • Coordinating participation of local enterprises, and other agencies in relevant trade/investment shows, trade/investment missions, national tours, and other promotional events; •

Developing and executing strategies and activities for increased market access for Belizean products and services;

•

Developing, managing, and improving investment, trade and business relationships;

•

Continuously seeking potential investment opportunities for Belize;

•

Coordinating the development and continuous update of relevant industry information for the ease of information sharing through promotional collateral material;

•

Analyzing and identifying trade opportunities, by coordinating with the Business and Investment Facilitation Unit (Aftercare Unit) and networking with other important stakeholders;

•

Providing facilitation throughout the entire investment experience.

14 Orchid Garden St. City of Belmopan, Cayo District Tel: +501 822-2727 Web: www.belizeinvest.org.bz/

10 Belize Tourism Overview