Delta announces service to Belize

Most of the tourism news over the last several months has involved the cruise ship sector–more precisely, concerns that its rapid unguided growth could negatively impact the hard earned success of our traditional overnight eco-tourism product. But this week two new developments in the industry will produce solid results for local hotelkeepers and other long stay service providers. The first is the announcement by Delta Airlines that beginning December eleventh it will inaugurate regular non-stop service to Belize. Although running only once each week on Saturday, the Atlanta-Belize run will give us a foothold in the expanding tourism market of one of the major transport hubs in the United States. The Delta route schedule reaches almost five hundred destinations in eighty-six countries and provides a particularly strong connection to Europe, a market that holds great promise for Belizean tour operators. The Boeing seven-three-seven will depart Atlanta at ten thirty a.m., arriving in Belize at twelve-forty in the afternoon. The return flight departs the P.G.I.A. at two-fifteen, arriving at Hartsfield International Airport at six-ten in the evening. In coming to Belize Delta joins an impressive roster of international airlines including American, Continental, U.S. Air, and Taca. Destinations for non-stop flights from Belize now include Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Newark, and San Salvador.