BTB Honors Industry Excellence at the 2025 National Tourism Awards Gala

Belize City, Belize – November 22, 2025 — The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) proudly hosted the 2025 National Tourism Awards Gala on Saturday, November 21 in Belize City. This signature celebration brought together the industry’s top performers for an unforgettable night honoring excellence across Belize’s tourism sector.

The program featured a special video message from the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño, underscoring the industry’s vital role in Belize’s economic growth and global presence. Distinguished guests included government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, industry partners, as well as this year’s esteemed nominees and award recipients.

Awards were presented across twelve categories, recognizing our stakeholders who exemplify excellence and service in the industry. Categories included: Frontline Person of the Year, Tour Guide of the Year, Tour Operator of the Year, Site of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Small Accommodation of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Green Champion of the Year, Health & Wellness Provider of the Year, Cultural Experience of the Year, Minister’s Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The year’s winners were selected by an expert panel of judges: Kevin Geban, Karen Vernon, Einar Marin, Jamal Galvez, and Anoushka Brandl.

The Belize Tourism Board extends sincere gratitude to its industry partners for their continued dedication and generous support: The Fort George Hotel & Spa, Travellers Liquors, LED, Madisco, Knight & Day Photography, D’s Designs, Bowen & Bowen, Kelcy Harris, DF Music, Consonance Music Group, Blue Fly, and Treasured Memories Photo Booth. We also congratulate all winners and nominees for their exceptional service and commitment to elevating Belize’s tourism offerings on both local and international stages.

Belize has continued to excel as a leading global travel destination, earning international recognition and achieving major national milestones that reflect our commitment to sustainability, while maintaining exceptional guest experiences. In 2024, Belize welcomed a record-breaking 562,405 overnight visitors, a 21% year-over-year increase and 11.8% above 2019, with eleven of twelve months surpassing pre-pandemic performance — a testament to the industry’s resilience and momentum. Our sustainability leadership also gained global attention as Belize proudly hosted the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) in 2024, where the country was named the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination, alongside awards for local champions in marine conservation, cultural heritage, and responsible tourism.

Belize’s hospitality offerings continue to rank among the best in the region, with Ambergris Caye recognized among the Top 5 Islands in Central & South America, and luxury properties — including Cayo Espanto, Alaia, and SunBreeze Hotel — earning accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor for outstanding service and guest satisfaction.

Across the country, infrastructure investments have strengthened the tourism product and enhanced visitor experiences. Major works such as the Mountain Pine Ridge–Caracol Road upgrade, the improvement of coastal and access roads, and BTB-supported rejuvenation of public spaces — including the transformative Mahogany Street Revitalization Project in Belize City and the rehabilitation of parks like Constitution Park — have created safer, more vibrant, and more welcoming community hubs. Together, these advancements demonstrate Belize’s dedication to expanding access and elevating the overall quality of the visitor journey while safeguarding the nation’s natural and cultural assets.

As we celebrate the winners of the 2025 National Tourism Awards, we also celebrate Belize’s trajectory — a destination that not only sets new standards in service and sustainability but also delivers real, measurable growth for our people and communities. The Belize Tourism Board reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation and protecting our heritage. We look forward to building on this momentum together with stakeholders and industry champions — as we position Belize not only as a jewel of the Caribbean, but as a global leader in responsible and world-class tourism.