Hello all! I am just wondering how the busy season has started on the island with all the economic turmoil in the states. Do things seem as normal?

It is what it is........

wow. such insight.....

some of us might actually be interested in how things are going down there.

i am involved in the tourism business and from what i can see it could be a lot better. but i guess its the same all over.

For those truly interested...for us we are doing pretty well. High Season is not yet here. Christmas to Easter. Lots of theories being thrown around..Bookings for lodging seem to be doing well even with the new hotels and additional 100 plus rooms on the island. also unlike San Pedro we have a much smaller community that takes less people to fill up and less competition. On the other side 5 or 6 years ago the high season seemed to me to be much busier, seems things have been on a downward trend since then. too many snorkel shops, hotels etc. Belize has become one if not the most expensive country in central America to visit, Largely due to its debt and government which does not help with tourism in these times.....

I was in C.C. about 3 weeks ago it seemed fairly busy, but I didn't have any problems getting a room. I tried to get a room for a trip that we are planning toward the end of Jan. or first part of Feb. and the place we normaly stay was booked through Feb.I'm starting to look at other places when I get my dates nailed down. C.C. doesn't have the really high end lodging that A.C. and others have and seems to attract a budget minded crowd.

I'm sure the economy in the US and elsewhere is bound to affect it sooner or later though.I have a son that works reservations for Southwest Airlines and he claims that their bookings haven't changed much.

I think with Mexico that the government/tourism people somehow subsidize airlines to help bring in tourists. It's kind of a chicken and egg thing, Belize can't afford to help too much but they also need tourism dollars togrow the economy.

Mark

Things are normal. I have not yet heard anybody complaining. Of course, we won't get a true picture until the season starts, but for the moment, the holidays are coming along as normal.