Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

The Ministry of Tourism, through the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has indicated that they recognize the growing private aviation industry and the potential for the tourism industry. Their acknowledgement came following an article printed in The San Pedro Sun on October 17th entitled "Belize slow at tapping into potential 1/2 billion dollar tourism market." The response came after numerous attempts for comments prior to the story. BTB says that they are currently looking into the new potential tourism market as part of its mandate to expand Belize's tourism capability.

The article came to light after Caribbean Flying Adventures cancelled a scheduled tour to Belize with over three dozen small private aircrafts. Instead, the US-based group, led by Jim Parker, decided to divert to neighboring Guatemala after authorities in Belize would not confirm an easier access to Belize. Caribbean Flying Adventures consists of private aircraft owners that fly all over the Caribbean and are part of a half-a-billion dollar industry that promotes tourism and boosts local economies.

According to the BTB letter addressed to The San Pedro Sun, they are trying their best to accommodate this emerging multimillion-dollar market. "With the introduction of any new product, we must ensure that the industry and infrastructure are ready and in place to accommodate. To that end, we are coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Belize Airport Concession and Company, Immigration and Customs, and across departments to thoroughly outline the needs associated with this service and allocate adequate funds to marketing and promoting private aviation in Belize."

BTB explained that the Ministry of Tourism is working on a plan to accommodate such market. "We are currently evaluating the capabilities of multiple potential partners and will soon announce our plan for enabling private planes to operate in Belize. Mr. Parker represents only one vendor in this '� billion dollar industry,' and it is the BTB's responsibility to ensure that we select partners that will best position us to successfully launch this new product and bring more tourists to Belize."

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3
W
Offline
W
I was part of the group with Jim Parker planning on coming to Belize; since the cancellation, I have contacted Belize civil aviation and the have provided me with the paperwork such that we are still planning to visit in February. Have accommodations reserved on Caye Caulker so hope all goes well in our (private) attempt (we plan to join up with the Guatemala group from Belize)

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,461
K
Offline
K
Jim Parker initially contacted me for hotel, tours and airport info. I think we could easily have arranged the paperwork with govt and aviation. I am not sure what problems he ran into, but know of plenty others who have no issues bringing their planes to Belize


Belize based travel specialist
www.belize-trips.com
[email protected]
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 72
A
Offline
A
Have flown here several times over the last 25 years. They (civil aviation) made us feel unwelcome every time. Maybe gotten better last 4 years or so as fuel costs now are high so we take commercial. i hope it has gotten better because it is a large market.

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3
W
Offline
W
The 'problems' as I understand them are slow turnings of bureaucracy at the airport (i.e. taking 3 hours or more to do all the paperwork, even if you have it all filled out). We will see how long it takes us; 6 weeks and counting smile


Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 343 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,199
Posts500,011
Members20,460
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5