Tourism arrivals slump over summer, Mahler admits

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize’s tourism industry hit a rough patch this summer, but the Minister of Tourism says help is on the way.

Minister Anthony Mahler confirmed that overnight arrivals declined between June and August. June alone was down 5 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

“For the first five months of the year, the numbers were up, but the past three months have been very soft, especially August, I believe,” Mahler said.

Still, he is confident the industry will bounce back.

“We are going to be okay heading into the last quarter of the year with the new flights coming in,” he said.

Six new flights are scheduled for the upcoming peak season. Among them is BermudAir, which is expected to offer nonstop service to Belize from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Raleigh Durham and Boston.

United Airlines is also expected to increase service from San Francisco, Chicago and Denver.

The bigger prize may be Europe. Mahler says the Government, including Prime Minister John Briceño, has been working to secure a direct flight from Europe to Belize, and his ministry looks forward to making an announcement.

The minister also sees sports tourism as a way to fill hotel rooms during the slower months.

“Tourism globally is about $12 to $13 trillion in revenues, while sports globally is around $2.5 trillion, but sports tourism is about a trillion dollars,” Mahler said.

He said Belize wants to keep improving its facilities so it can host more sporting events, bringing in visitors and boosting the economy during the low season.

Belize’s high season traditionally begins around mid November, with the busiest stretch running from December through April.

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