Record increase in tourism arrivals

The Belize Tourism Board is reporting a nineteen percent increase in arrivals for the month of October compared to last year. The figure is based on information provided by the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. Arrivals for visitors overall, including business and official travelers increased by seventeen point four percent from five thousand six to five thousand three hundred fifty-seven. At the moment tourist arrivals by sea and at the nation’s borders are not factored in, but the B.T.B. is working with the Immigration Department to try and provide a more accurate count. Director of Tourism Tracy Taegar says the numbers from the P.G.I.A. are encouraging and the consistent upward trend indicates the focused marketing strategy and close partnership with members of the industry are working. In related news, the Tourism Board is holding a four-day tourism education workshop for secondary and tertiary level teachers. The course will discuss tourism’s impact on the community and economy and the importance of establishing quality industry standards.