AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel Someone please help.....

Me with this. Just looked at Cont for mid-May travel from Austin, $751, plus Tropic, (mid-week). Austin/Cun (Riviera Maya) all inclusive beach front, air, all fees and taxs, 5 nights, $629. I just dont get it. A week in SP, including hotel, air, food and walking around $, approx $3,000US. See my problem ?

Ernie, this has to be the biggest problem we have tourism wise and the GOB makes absolutely no effort to do anything about it. They were willing to go lobby the cruise companies, not that it did any good, but dont seem to make an effort in this critical problem.

Comparing Apples to Donuts. Any mass produced item is always cheaper. Everyone knows Cancun fares are subsidised by their Government - they have 100 Million People. More than three hundred times larger tax base. The smallest resorts on the Mayan Riviera have the combined investment of San Pedro with the same amount of hotel beds as the whole island.

We need to look at what we have and market accordingly. Never should we compare ourselves to Cancun. Look to the people that don't want mass tourism breaks where they could mistakenly think they were next door, but just warmer. Market to those that want something different and are prepared to pay a little more for it. Yes the BTB could do more but get real in what.

Phil, it is attitudes like yours that drives people to other destinations. A week for me in SP cost approx $3000US. Forget Cancun, a week in Bali cost no more. A week in Cabo, much less, a week in Costa Rica much less. Dont even mention Panama. I have lived in and visited SP for many years, but it is now off limits to me and many others. Apples and donuts ? I dont think so.

Expected response. I can't do more to change this than I have. Therefore I can only change what's in my control. I can control or guide where I and the associations I belong to aim their Marketing and the type of people I want to attract. I don't want the US$600 all in people. They have no money to spend. I want the more affluent person that wants to see and do something different. There are less of them and I think that makes a perfect match for Belize.

What or who do you think can change the prices you want to see to come to Belize?

I would also add that it is your attitude and actions, more than mine, that will drive people elsewhere than Belize. They might listen to your point and look at the financial side and think Belize is a mini Cancun (your comparison not mine) that costs more for the same - when we have so much more to offer and are a polar opposite....so yes for me it is apples and donuts.

I dont know you or who you are. I have many friends in SP both business people, expats and locals. I dont consider myself to be a budget traveler. Anyone who knows me, bar owners, restaurant owners, resorts etc, know that. Your sarcasm does not help your position, in MHO. I dont think I ask to be shot at by posting my question/comment. Get a hobby. I have better things to do today than debate you.

BTB is not in a position to subsidize airlines nor control their rates. We would love for any of the budget airlines to start flying into Belize from the US and direct flights from Canada. Belize and Cancun are two very different destinations and countries. MX manufactures nearly everything required to construct infrastructure-roads, septic and water systems, electrical, construction and more. They also produce oil and have lower fuel and engery costs. Belize has to import everything, with shipping and duty piled on top of the costs. In how many other places can you snorkel in the morning on the largest barrier reef in the hemisphere and sit atop a Mayan pyramid overlooking the jungle in the afternoon? I know high air fares restrict many visitors from coming to Belize, but most of those who do come, think the differences between us and Cancun-like places, is worth the extra $. We are not a mass tourism destination. They are and that is reflected in the costs and personal experience. I rarely have a client who did not love their vacation in Belize. Some return; all tell their friends how great Belize is. Belize is not for everyone, that is for sure. But it is one of the better destinations in the world for all we have to offer in one relatively small country.

^This in a nutshell, succinct, articulate and no sarcasm.

So, Katie, you feel we are being dealt with fairly and we should be paying airfare that is twice that of a destination less than an hour away? I had not thought of BTB subsidizing air fares but maybe that needs to be considered. Last year I had one of my regular guests, an Apple exec, decide to go to Paris for Christmas New Years because the airfare was so much cheaper than coming here which was his first choice. He was flying out of Oklahoma City.
There is no place like Belize but the fact is we have terrible occupancy rating and need more income in the economy and government and increasing tourism should be easier than finding oil. High end ecotourism which should be our forte requires quality of service reasonable transportation costs. Very few dont care what it costs. I think probably 25% or more of my guests are flying on "miles" and dont pay the price. The super-high airfares do hurt our overnight tourism trade. It is a problem, a big problem and it needs government attention. New ideas maybe. It seems to be the same nothing we can do about it mentality. The BTB could be a powerful force as could the GOB. Surely we could offer preferential treatment to an airline that lowers fares. Or some other idea but status quo has to go.