Belize among five destinations in WestJet’s winter expansion

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize has made WestJet’s shortlist. The Canadian carrier announced on Monday, July 20, that it is expanding non-stop flight service to five destinations, and Belize stands among them, with a new once-weekly service from Winnipeg to the Philip Goldson International Airport beginning December 14.

The Winnipeg route joins WestJet’s existing non-stop flights from Toronto and Calgary, giving Canadians a third direct gateway to the Jewel just as the winter escape season peaks. The other destinations in the expansion are Mérida, Punta Cana, San José del Cabo, and Liberia.

“These additions support the growing demand for options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean, while sustainably expanding our schedule and managing our fleet during the peak winter travel season,” explained John Weatherill, WestJet’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We are excited to offer more ways for guests to trade their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them, and we look forward to the travel stories that will take off from these exciting new options.”

The case for Belize sells itself to the frozen Canadian traveller. As the only English-speaking country in Central America, with a stable currency fixed to the US dollar, Belize removes the friction from a tropical escape. The Belize Barrier Reef, second largest in the world, offers snorkeling, scuba diving, and fly-fishing, while the mainland delivers the rich cultures of the Creole, Maya, Mestizo, and Garifuna people, ancient Maya archaeological sites, birding, and the cave tubing that visitors rave about.

The expansion is also a vote of confidence at a testing moment for airlift. JetBlue suspended its three-times-weekly Belize service in May, and Spirit Airlines shut down for lack of funding, yet the Belize Tourism Board has pressed on with aggressive destination marketing, and WestJet’s growth suggests the strategy is landing.

Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sport and Diaspora Relations Anthony Mahler welcomed the new service. “The launch of WestJet’s new Winnipeg-Belize City service is an important step in strengthening air connectivity between Canada and Belize, and a strong sign of confidence in our destination’s continued growth,” he said. “Canada is one of Belize’s most important international markets, and with this new route complementing WestJet’s existing service from Toronto and Calgary, Canadians now have more options than ever to experience everything Belize has to offer.”

WestJet has not yet specified the days and times of the flights.

For Canadians already plotting the December escape, the planning can start now. Beach lovers will find Placencia hard to beat, where Chabil Mar Villas offers an award-winning guest-exclusive beachfront experience on the peninsula. Those drawn to the jungle side of Belize can look west to the San Ignacio area, where Villa Massis Resort on the banks of the Mopan River pairs riverside relaxation with easy access to Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and the ATM Cave. And for travellers who want the whole itinerary handled by people on the ground, Barefoot Services in Placencia is the local travel agent that knows every corner of the destination.

Winnipeg, your sandals are waiting. December 14 is the date.

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