Travel & Tourism
Belizean pilot flies JetBlue’s inaugural flight to Belize
A Belizean pilot, Jason Smith, was on the flight crew that brought down Belize JetBlue's inaugural non-stop flight on Wednesday, December 6th, from New York City's John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport. Smith, a native of Punta Gorda Town (PG) in the Toledo District, was honored to pilot the Airbus A320 that touched down at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) on Wednesday afternoon.
Community and Society
San Pedro Town Council Hosts 2nd Annual Tourism Awards
Held at El Patio Restaurant under sparkling décor, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) honored the outstanding tourism business of Ambergris Caye on Saturday evening, November 25th. Mr. Gerry Badillo and Ms. Natalie Arceo hosted the glamorous event, with the Black and White Garifuna Center performing, opening the ceremony with lively traditional dances.
Community and Society
San Pedro BTIA chapter holds Annual General Meeting and Membership Mixer
On Tuesday, November 14th, the Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro chapter (SP BTIA) held its Annual General Meeting with a social gathering at the Hidden Treasure Restaurant. Members and guests attended the event, with Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez, Mayor Gualberto' Wally' Nuñez, and BTIA President Stewart Krohn as special guests. The annual gathering also saw the introduction of the new Chairman of the island's BTIA chapter, Nick Scavone.
Business & Economy
BTB San Pedro’s satellite office re-opens
After being closed for over three years, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) office branch in San Pedro Town re-opened on Monday, October 30th, during an official ceremony at the Sunset Boardwalk. The anticipated BTB satellite office on the island is now located at the international water taxi terminal at the Sunset Boardwalk. It will be essential for tour operators, tour guides, and other tourism stakeholders, who will now be assisted with their tourism queries and processes on the island without the need to travel to the mainland.
Community and Society
Belize Flats Fishery Association holds membership drive in San Pedro
On Thursday, October 19th, the newly created Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) held a membership drive inside La San Pedrana Restaurant on Barrier Reef Drive. The event was attended by fly-fishing guides, stakeholders involved in fly-fishing, and advocates of this tourism product. During the meeting, the board of directors was introduced, and the BFFA's goal of bringing voices together, looking after its members, and promoting conservation was shared.
Business & Economy
San Pedro BTB Office to re-open
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, has been without a Belize Tourism Board (BTB) office for over three years after it closed in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This office is essential for tour operators, tour guides, and other industry partners, and as a result, the closure has led to trips to the mainland for tourism queries. But those days are about to be a thing of the past, as on Thursday, October 5th, during a meeting with Tourism Minister Honourable Anthony Mahler, San Pedro stakeholders were informed that the BTB office would soon be re-opened.
Travel & Tourism
Margaritaville Beach Resort in northern Ambergris Caye officially opens
The first Margaritaville Beach Resort in Belize was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, October 4th, in northern Ambergris Caye after a soft opening in March of this year. The new resort, located 13 miles north of San Pedro Town, is described as a secluded, family-friendly hideaway with a stunning beach in front of the second-longest coral reef in the world. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and program included dignitaries and special guests, who were later introduced to the different services and amenities offered by the new beach resort.
Business & Economy
Post-Covid tourism in Belize; Tourism Ministry says arrivals on the rise
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Belize’s economy plummeted after the tourism industry came to a grinding halt. Fast-forward to 2023, the tourism industry has returned, but some believe it doesn’t compare to 2019. On Thursday, September 28th, the Ministry of Tourism shared an update on the state of the industry, citing that the overnight arrivals continue to show improvement and the upcoming high season is expected to be very successful.