Crime And Sargassum Threaten Belize’s Tourism Industry

Belize’s tourism industry is facing a triple threat: fewer visitors, mounting sargassum and crime concerns that could undermine the country’s appeal as a destination. Queen Square Area Representative Godwin Haylock is voicing deep concern, warning that these challenges deserve urgent attention. During Thursday’s House sitting, he took aim at the state of the industry and the growing concerns surrounding its future.

 

Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square

“Look at the Belize Tourism Board’s monthly figures, from June to September, overnight arrivals fell eight-point four percent, compared to the same four months last year. That is more than twelve thousand, four hundred visitors visiting this country. In August alone there is a decline of thirteen percent. The director of tourism says that forward booking points to a strong high season. I hope he is right, because there are many resorts in San Pedro still screaming that they are seeing thirty, to forty percent less booking. Our neighbor Mexico showed how bad tourism market has become. Tulum hotel occupancy rate is so deplorable in October that their beach side resorts are completely shut down, no one is there. it is like a ghost town. Why is Tulum experiencing this. There is a clear problem with sargassum in the entire region, one that no one can really control. But, there is also the high cost of selling the tourism product that people from Tulum continue to say is creating a problem for people coming over this side of the world. Canada updated it travel advisory urging a high degree of caution nationwide and advertising non-essential travel to Southside Belize City. The United Kingdom updated its guidance and Mexico ‘s Embassy has also issued an alert to its citizens.”

 

Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler, was not present at the time to respond to Haylock’s concerns.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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