Tourism up last year

Despite cries from some segments of the tourism industry that adverse publicity from both the local and international media about Hurricane Mitch had seriously affected their “season” the government says tourist arrivals actually increased over last year. The Belize Tourist Board says there was a nine percent increase in tourist arrivals during 1998 at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. Eighty-seven thousand and ninety-two people entered Belize by air in 1997, while ninety-four thousand, nine hundred and twenty eight came that way in 1998. Seventy percent of these tourists were from the United States followed by Canada and the United Kingdom. Over six thousand business visitors also came to Belize by air. The statistics for arrivals by sea or through the borders have yet to be compiled, however, the results from the Santa Elena Border show an eight point five percent increase over 1997. According to the Tourist Board their current marketing strategy is designed to attract visitors throughout the year and to court tourists in North America and Europe. According to their statistics, twenty-two million Americans travel each year, but only one in twenty-three of these tourists visits Central America.