- February 2, 2026
- Posted by: BTB Admin
- Category: International, News
Belize City, Belize – February 2, 2026: Belize’s tourism sector continues to show steady and measured growth, according to preliminary 2025 tourism arrival figures. Building on the strong gains achieved in 2024, both overnight and cruise tourism reflect a destination that has moved beyond recovery and is now experiencing continued positive growth.
Overnight tourism in Belize has continued to demonstrate a strong, resilient recovery, with 2025 projected to reach 551,698 overnight stays, a 0.8% increase over 2024 (547,370). While this year-on-year expansion is modest, it is significant because it builds on an already elevated 2024 base, indicating that Belize is not merely rebounding but beginning to stabilize at a higher post-pandemic performance level.
From an economic standpoint, the most encouraging benchmark remains the comparison to 2019 (pre-COVID). In that context, 2024 overnight stays exceeded 2019 by 8.8%, rising from 503,166 in 2019 to 547,370 in 2024. Even more impressively, 2025 is projected to outperform 2019 by 9.6%, underscoring that Belize has effectively surpassed its pre-pandemic ceiling and entered a new growth phase for overnight tourism.
Cruise tourism in Belize continues to demonstrate strong forward drive, with 2025 projected to reach 967,214 cruise passenger arrivals, reflecting an 8.1% increase over 2024 (894,405). This projected expansion is especially noteworthy as it signals that Belize’s cruise sector is not only recovering, but also re-entering a growth trajectory supported by stronger port calls, improved destination demand, and expanding cruise itineraries.
When benchmarked against 2019 (pre-pandemic)—the sector’s high-water mark—cruise arrivals in 2025 remain 17.4% below 2019 levels (1,170,558 in 2019 vs. 967,214 projected in 2025). However, the most encouraging economic signal is the consistent upward climb since the pandemic, with the country now steadily narrowing the gap and positioning itself for a fuller return to pre-COVID scale.
These results reflect the collective efforts of tourism stakeholders across Belize, whose continued investment and collaboration have been instrumental in sustaining the sector’s momentum. As 2026 unfolds, the industry is well-positioned to build on this progress, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to experience all that Belize has to offer. The Belize Tourism Board thanks all stakeholders and partners for their dedication and support in making this growth possible.