Tourism stats take a hit from Keith

It comes as no surprise, but officials of the Belize Tourism Board report that as a result of Hurricane Keith, tourist arrivals are way down. The latest monthly figures from the Philip Goldson International Airport show that arrivals declined by thirty percent compared to October of 1999. Minister of Tourism, Mark Espat is optimistic, however, noting that a temporary drop following such a disaster is inevitable. But he is confident that the figures should return to form as the upcoming tourist season gathers steam. Despite the October drop, cumulative statistics from January through October show an impressive seventeen point nine percent increase in arrivals over last year, a jump of close to sixteen thousand tourists. Airlines are also enthusiastic and are planning to introduce larger and more modern aircraft on several routes to Belize.