Belize’s tourism sector has achieved a remarkable recovery, now exceeding pre-COVID performance benchmarks according to latest data from the Belize Tourism Board. Both overnight stays and cruise arrivals have not only rebounded but surpassed previous records, signaling a robust resurgence in the Central American nation’s vital tourism economy.
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism at the Belize Tourism Board, revealed the sector’s strategic approach to this success. “We have been focusing more strategically on our marketing, putting significant effort into granular targeting based on comprehensive data analysis,” Tillett explained. This data-driven marketing strategy has been complemented by continuous infrastructure development within the tourism ecosystem.
The statistics demonstrate impressive growth trajectories. Cruise arrivals for 2025 showed an 8.1% increase compared to 2024 figures, while overnight tourism grew by approximately 1%. Most significantly, 2024 established a new national benchmark with 547,000 overnight visitors—the highest in Belize’s history—with 2025 projections reaching 551,000.
The positive trend continues into 2026, with January figures showing a marginal but meaningful increase over January 2025—59,173 visitors compared to 59,095. This sustained growth reflects the effectiveness of Belize’s strategic tourism initiatives.
Concurrently, the government is emphasizing community-based tourism development as exemplified by San Pedro’s new artisan market. This project represents a conscious effort to distribute tourism benefits more broadly across local communities while maintaining sustainable development principles. Industry leaders highlight this dual approach of quantitative growth and qualitative community enrichment as central to Belize’s tourism strategy moving forward.