Belize’s tourism industry is demonstrating remarkable resilience as it approaches the peak holiday season, with industry leaders expressing renewed optimism following a period of significant volatility in visitor numbers. The recent conclusion of the U.S. federal government shutdown has provided an additional boost to the sector’s recovery prospects.
According to data from the Belize Tourism Board, 2025 has been characterized by dramatic fluctuations rather than consistent decline. While September witnessed an 8.6% decrease in overnight arrivals, several months including January, February, April, July, and August achieved record-breaking arrival numbers, establishing new benchmarks for monthly tourism performance.
Evan Tillett, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, characterized the year as “very volatile” during a recent press briefing, acknowledging the challenges while highlighting the sector’s underlying strength. This volatility is being counterbalanced by emerging regional trends that are working in Belize’s favor. The devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and escalating cartel violence in certain Mexican destinations have prompted both tourists and travel agencies to seek safer Caribbean alternatives.
The Belize Hotel Association reports exceptionally strong booking patterns for the December through March high season, with numerous properties approaching full capacity. Reynaldo Malik, President of the Association, emphasized the critical importance of the current three-week booking window, noting that approximately 60% of next year’s revenue typically materializes during this period.
Despite a 1.7% decline in visitors from the United States—Belize’s primary tourism market—the country’s strategic diversification efforts are yielding positive results. Nicole Usher, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, highlighted successful initiatives in secondary and regional markets, including recent collaborative agreements with El Salvador and enhanced engagement with the Mundo Maya organization to stimulate increased regional travel within Central America.
With robust regional marketing campaigns, promising occupancy forecasts, and restored travel confidence among American tourists receiving back pay after the government shutdown, Belize’s tourism sector appears well-positioned for a substantial rebound in the coming months.