Belize, often celebrated as “Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret,” continues to solidify its position as a premier Central American and Caribbean destination. The data published by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) provides crucial insights into the health of this vital sector, highlighting the nation’s successful recovery and sustained appeal to international visitors.
The BTB’s comprehensive Tourism Performance Dashboard tracks key metrics such as visitor origins, ports of entry, and overall arrival numbers, providing the foundation for strategic planning and decision-making for both the government and private investors.
The metric for overnight arrivals—visitors who stay in licensed accommodations—is a primary indicator of the tourism sector’s economic contribution. The latest available preliminary data reveals a consistent flow of tourists entering the country:
Total Arrivals: In the preliminary data for September 2025 (P), Belize recorded 20,822 total overnight visitor arrivals.
Primary Gateway: Air travel remains the dominant mode of entry, with 71.0% of overnight visitor arrivals in September 2025 (P) passing through the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). This reliance on air travel underscores the effectiveness of increased direct flight routes connecting Belize to major North American hubs.
A key structural feature of Belize’s tourism success is the unwavering dominance of the North American market. The United States, in particular, drives the majority of overnight arrivals:
Market Share: For September 2025 (P), Americans accounted for a commanding 59.4% of all overnight visitor arrivals.
Key Origin Regions: While the U.S. leads, other important origin markets tracked by the BTB include Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America, contributing to a healthy diversification of visitor origins.
The statistics must be viewed in the context of the tourism industry’s significant recovery following the global pandemic. The data tracked since 2019 clearly shows the impact of global shutdowns and the subsequent phased re-opening:
Re-opening Milestones: The PGIA (international airport) was re-opened in October 2020, while land borders (with Mexico and Guatemala) and seaports fully re-opened in February 2022. The strong visitor numbers seen recently reflect the tourism sector’s resilience and successful strategies implemented to attract travelers back to the destination.
Belize’s tourism performance, guided by the robust data from the Belize Tourism Board, demonstrates a vibrant and resilient industry. The consistent flow of overnight guests, particularly from the critical U.S. market, validates Belize’s appeal as a top-tier destination for eco-tourism, adventure travel, and luxury Caribbean experiences. This statistical foundation supports continued investment and confidence in the country’s long-term economic growth.