From Ambergris Today

At the beginning of 2013 the Belize Tourism Board embarked on a new logo and slogan campaign for the country that enticed visitors to the Belizean experience, to BE-lize (or Be Belize). The campaign has helped boost the country’s tourism industry and catapulted the nation into the international spotlight with magazine spreads, network television highlights, advertising campaigns, celebrity visits and social media spotlights that are all about sharing the Belizean experience.

Increasing numbers of tourists uncover Belize treasures – Figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) show that Belize ranked the second fastest growing Caribbean tourist destination (behind only Turks and Caicos Islands) with an increase of 11.6% in tourist numbers in February 14, compared to the previous year. Belize registered 32,712 tourist arrivals in February: Travel and Tourism is expected to contribute an additional 4.1% to Belize’s GDP in 2014.

The main markets that have been visiting Belize are US visitors (an increase of 11%) and European visitors (an increase of 26.6%) in the first quarter of 2014. The increase in tourism in the country is not being seen as only an immediate trend as a reports from the CTO forecast an even higher 4.4% annual rise in the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Belize’s GDP from 2014 to 2024. This is a trend that sees more positive results for the country including an additional 10,000 jobs being generated in the Belizean travel and tourism sector.

Landing on top of the tourism sector and greatly contributing, largely for the most part, in the industry for the country is the island of Ambergris Caye. It is the largest island in the country and the top destination for visitors from around the globe. It has been named “The Number One Island in the World” for two consecutive years by Trip Advisor in its Reader’s Choice Awards 2013 and 2014.

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Leads the Way

Belize Ranked Second Fastest Growing Caribbean Tourist Destination

San Pedro Warden for the US Embassy, Wil Lala, conducts a census every two years on the island to gather data on the hotels, condos and vacation homes so that the US Embassy can better serve the American citizens in case of an emergency or disaster. His census provides valuable information specific for Ambergris Caye.

The economic contribution of Ambergris Caye is huge and to appreciate how much money is generated on the island, it is important to point out some statistics. San Pedro has 154 registered hotels and resorts out of a total of 765 in the entire country. That is equivalent to 1,774 rooms out of the 7,210 registered in the entire country.

According to government figures, the tourism industry is the second largest revenue earner for the country (second to agriculture) and the main economic driving force for Ambergris Caye. Tourism contributed an estimated $1.2 billion to the country’s economy in 2013. It is estimated that 46% of that revenue collected by the GOB was contributed through the economic activities on Ambergris Caye. That figure is approximately $552 million.

GOB’s sources of tourism revenue are through accommodation taxes, Hotel Application and License Fees, Live-Aboard Taxes, Cruise Head Tax, Tour Guide Licensing Fees, Tour Operator Licensing Fees, Qualified Retirement Program [QRP] Fees, General Sales Tax on Restaurant and Bar Services and Tours, Business Tax on Accommodation, Restaurant and Bar Services and Tours and Business Tax on the Sale of Condominiums.

Mr. Lala’s report indicates that due to the recession and past over-development, 2014 has seen only a net increase over 2012 of approximately 100 rooms/units. However with the uptick in the economy, the island is seeing nearly 300 more rooms under construction with about 100 of these to be opened in time for the high season this December 2014.

Most of the new units are north of the cut/bridge and are on the high end of the amenity scale. Some of the older condos are seeing a decrease in the number of rooms in the rental pool, as long-term owners who bought the units as an investment are now retiring and occupying their units.

In his survey, Lala indicates that there are 1896 units on the island for 2014. A unit is a guest accommodation that can range from a single room to a five-bedroom villa.

It is of no surprise that Belize is growing in popularity, with its diversity in flora and fauna, the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere and a cultural mix up like no other, the country offers attractions, hospitality, serenity and an escape that rivals other top destinations around the world and still remains one of the unspoiled jewels of the region.

For more on this story go to: http://www.ambergristoday.com/content/stories/2014/august/22/belize-ranked-second-fastest-growing-caribbean-tourist-destination