Belize draws travelers from all over the world—including birders.
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Belize, a small country in Central America, has flown under the radar for many travelers. But that’s about to change if the Honorable Anthony Mahler, Belize Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, has anything to do with it.
Belize, like many countries, is still recovering from the drastic economic downturn that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Regaining momentum for our tourism industry has required a lot of human and financial resources,” says Mahler, who was officially sworn in as Belize’s new Tourism Minister in 2020, but has a history with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), having worked there for 12 years. “Our economy is small, so we cannot outspend larger destinations. Thankfully, our recovery has been positive and steady.”
Focus on Sustainability
Belize is known for its many outdoor adventure activities.
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One of the big focuses for the country is sustainability. “On the global scene, Belize has worked diligently to put in place all the requisite elements to lead the sustainable tourism model,” says Mahler. “We have included the philosophy in our short-term and long-term goals.”
He wants to establish Belize as a low-impact/high-value destination. That involves getting buy-in from locals. “It is important for our tourism that Belizeans not only see the financial benefits coming from the industry, but that they understand that the industry’s success is tied to their own appreciation and love of our country,” says Mahler. “The BTB has engaged the Belizean public in various programs and initiatives to build more civic pride. This involves building inspiration to care for our environment, becoming more socially active, and becoming more open to share our rich culture with each other and with our visitors.”
What To Do And See In Belize
Belize has many archeological sites.
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Awareness is another goal. “The United States is our main market for visitors, but many Americans are still unaware that flying to Belize is just 2-3 hours away from most major US cities,” says Mahler.
In terms of tourist activities, there’s plenty here. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, mountains, caves, archeological sites, a dense rainforest, rivers, and enough flora and fauna to occupy any nature enthusiast. The famous Blue Hole can be experienced by diving, snorkeling, boating or flying over it in a private charter flight.
There are so many archeological sites that the challenge is choosing which one visit.
Cave tubing in Crystal Caves.
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“Every cave in Belize offers something different,” says Mahler. “I recommend choosing your cave tour depending on how much you want to learn, walk, paddle, or swim.” The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave in the Cayo District is popular among tourists because it is like a museum with ancient Maya pottery and skeletal remains.
The forest offers opportunities to camp, hike, bird watch, or do river rafting.
Belize has several fly-fishing lodges throughout its northern and southern areas. The pristine water makes for some of the best fishing and swimming activities.
Minister Mahler cycling
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Plus, there’s cycling, a favorite activity for Mahler. “Most mainland places in Belize take only a few hours to get to and all of our highways are very scenic,” he says. “No matter how often I cycle the same roads and highways, the natural scenery never gets old.”
Cultural Activities and Festivals in Belize
Garifuna troupe performs traditional songs with drumming and dancing in Hopkins Village.
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There are many annual cultural festivals and performances that bring in tourists.
The La Ruta Maya River Challenge is a four-day canoe race along the Belize River. Teams from all across the country and the world participate in this event. Local support is enormous, as Belizeans from all demographics line the river banks to cheer on their team.
The Placencia Sidewalk Art Fest is a two-day event that focuses on painting, jewelry, clothing, houseware, and various kinds of artwork inspired and made by Belizeans.
The Belize International Music and Food Festival promotes Belizean cuisine and music. Last year local artists performed alongside Grammy award-winning Reggae artist Koffee.
The Culinary Scene in Belize
Travelers can partake in traditional cooking methods.
BTB
Eating at local restaurants and sampling regional cuisine is a good way for tourists to sample the flavors of the country. Rice and beans served with stewed chicken is Belize’s national food. Depending on where you are in the country, the flavor of the rice and beans may differ. Local confectionaries include coconut tarts and bread pudding. Culinary dishes in Belize are full of flavor and high on the organic scale since a lot of the agricultural products are produced locally.
Future Plans for Belize
Blue Hole in Belize
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“We continue to invest in marketing that will attract visitors from more places around the world. Even as we explore new niche markets in the US, Mexico, and South America, we are working very hard to secure our first direct flight out of a major European city,” says Mahler. “Locally, we have plans to improve the road access to many of our archeological sites and to expand the capacity of our local, private aviation companies.”
On the world scene, Belize has positioned its tourism product as an adventurer’s paradise, focusing on low-impact, high-value experiences. “We conserve, preserve, and protect our natural environment,” says Mahler. “Our plan is to use that industry ethos to build our competitive edge.”
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Publish date : 2023-03-22 08:34:00
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Author : theamericannews
Publish date : 2024-12-06 07:45:49
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