US terrorist warnings not affecting Belizean New Year plans

“Where will you be on New Year’s Eve?” seems to be the question everyone is already asking. But even as cities all over the world get ready to cash in on what promises to be the biggest party ever, the US State Department has issued a statement that might make some American tourists afraid to travel to international destinations. So far, it has had no impact on Belize. On December twenty-first, in a “worldwide caution,” “terrorist threat” report, the US Government said it quote, “believes that terrorists may be planning to conduct attacks including against official and non-official Americans, in and around the New Year period with particular emphasis on locations where large groups of people may congregate for millennial or religious festivities.” Americans overseas are being advised to “remain vigilant,” “avoid large crowds,” “keep a low profile” and “vary routes and travel times.” But while the report might seem pertinent for the more turbulent nations, or at least countries in the Middle East, the Belize Tourism Board says the outlook for the New Year’s celebrations looks positive. Belize’s hoteliers have been working hard to put together attractive packages and most establishments we contacted today said they anticipate a great News Year’s. The places to be? San Pedro, Dangriga and Placencia seem to be the ports of call of choice. Ramon’s Village is reporting that ninety percent of their rooms are secured. Down south, Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga and Robert’s Grove in Placencia both say they’re busy and expect to be that way until the first week of January. In the Cayo District Chaa Creek Cottages say their special room packages have been reserved since last year November even with the price tag of eighteen hundred US dollars per person. But strangely, the San Ignacio Hotel says their hotel was fully booked for the millennium until some last minute cancellations about a month ago. Now less than fifty percent of their rooms will be occupied. If not for local traffic, they would be worried. Director of the Belize Tourism Board, Tracy Taegar says the only real deterrent to a great New Year’s for the industry has been high airline rates and a limited number of flights into Belize. Nevertheless, every plane in since November has been full. The early statistics for December have not yet been published.