Belize aims to diversify its tourism to Spain and Europe

Belize presented in Madrid their tourism to attract Spanish and European customers with their culture, landscapes and offer cruises, in a strategic location that is part of the Caribbean and Central America. MA / EFE January 22, 2016 The aim is to diversify the market, traditionally dump in North America, he told Efe the Belize Tourism Minister, Manuel Heredia, participating for the second consecutive year in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) held in Madrid. The minister highlighted as a "particularly attractive" for his country to be the only English-speaking Central American and the time 80% of the population speaks English. This circumstance makes it easy to diversify its supply to Latin America and Europe, in addition to their traditional North American customers, who monopolize 60% of the market. With the new strategy of diversifying markets, Belize hopes to double in the next five years the 1.3 million tourists who currently receive. Diversity of supply "Belize is a complete package," said Heredia, as well as archaeological riches offered, is a leading cruise tourism destination, which travelers can find the highlights inside the country in a day of stay.

The Central American country has, in the words of the minister, white beaches, marine reserves, archaeological temples and a wealth of flora and fauna, while providing for divers "one of the most beautiful destinations in the world." As a prominent place, said Manuel Heredia San Pedro Island, known as the "beautiful island", which receives 40% of tourism in the country and that on two occasions the Web TripAdvisor has designated as the most beautiful island in the world. Tourism from Spain and Europe allows Belize reduce seasonality and pose objective that no offseason in the next five years in the sector. As appealing to this new market, Heredia said that now, through Copa Airlines, you can reach with a stopover in Panama Belize without having to go through the United States, as was the case until recently. Tourism contributes 25% of Belize's GDP last year and generated revenues of $ 500 million, an increase of 9.2% over the previous year, according to Hall.