Belize Tourism Sector Surpassing Pre-COVID Benchmarks

That focus on community‑based tourism comes as Belize’s tourism industry continues to show strong signs of growth. New figures from the Belize Tourism Board reveal that both overnight and cruise arrivals are not only rebounding, but in some cases surpassing pre‑pandemic levels, highlighting why projects like San Pedro’s new artisan market are being positioned as part of a wider strategy to strengthen tourism while spreading its benefits across local communities.

 

On the Phone: Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism, Belize Tourism Board

“We have been focusing more strategically on our marketing and that we have been putting a lot of effort into getting granular into where we market and to know where the people are coming from. So we’re using a lot of data to drive our strategic marketing plan for the year. In addition to that, I think that we continue to focus on developing the infrastructure within the tourism sector. I know that there is work to be done, but we continue to work on it piece by piece, step by step.”

 

Britney Gordon

“In some areas we have surpassed pre pandemic numbers. Do we anticipate that this year we might see it be passed in all the other areas?”

 

On the Phone: Evan Tillett

“In terms of cruise for 2025 versus 2024, I think we’re update about eight point one percent which is good growth. For the overnight sector, I think up just about one percent over 2024.And I must say that 2024 was the new benchmark here. So that is the highest number of. Overnight tourism that our tourist that has ever come into the country. I think in 2024 we are at five hundred and forty-seven K. This year we’re at, I think five fifty-one. And so there is some growth and we continue to see that trend going into January 2026, where we have surpassed the January numbers for 2025 marginally, but we have surpassed, I think the final number is. fifty-nine thousand one hundred seventy-three versus I think fifty-nine thousand ninety-five.”

 

As Belize’s tourism numbers continue to climb past pre‑pandemic levels, leaders say projects like San Pedro’s new artisan market show how growth can be paired with community opportunity and sustainable development.