Belize’s tourism sector witnessed a moderate contraction in visitor arrivals during October 2025, with official data revealing a 5.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. According to statistics released by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the country received approximately 25,600 overnight visitors—representing a reduction of roughly 1,368 tourists.
The primary factor behind this downturn has been attributed to the temporary U.S. federal government shutdown in October, which created uncertainty and disrupted travel arrangements for potential visitors. Evan Tillett, Director of the BTB, addressed these findings during a late November press briefing, contextualizing the monthly results within broader annual trends.
Tillett characterized 2025 as ‘highly volatile’ in terms of tourist inflow, noting that several months—including January, February, April, July, and August—achieved unprecedented arrival numbers, establishing new performance benchmarks. He emphasized that September and October traditionally represent a seasonal lull in Belize’s tourism calendar.
Industry prospects appear favorable despite the October slump, particularly with the resolution of the U.S. government shutdown two weeks prior to Thanksgiving. This timing coincides with the commencement of Belize’s peak tourism season, positioning the industry for a robust year-end performance.
To mitigate seasonal fluctuations, the BTB continues to deploy its green season marketing strategy, which encompasses the Belizean Travel Marketing Program. The board is also collaborating with private sector stakeholders to develop attractive promotional packages aimed at sustaining international visitor interest during traditionally slower periods.