Tourism forecast is upbeat

In the last few weeks most media coverage of the tourism industry has focussed on problems surrounding the cruise ship sector. But a canvassing of tour operators, hoteliers and service providers to the traditional and much larger overnight segment of the industry indicates that 2002/2003 is going to be a banner season. Reports are that load factors on all airlines, including newcomers Air Jamaica and U.S. Air, are high and advance bookings at resorts on the cayes and mainland remain strong. On Saturday Continental Airlines will inaugurate its weekly non-stop service between Belize City and Newark, while on Monday American begins its second flight to and from Miami, which will operate four days each week.