from Lan Sluder

Based on emails I've received and from reports on www.BelizeEmergency.net, nearly all hotels in Belize, even those in Corozal District, escaped Dean without serious damage.

Nearly all hotels, except those that are closed for routine seasonal maintenance, are open. A few hotels in Corozal Town say they will reopen later this week. Hotel Maya in Corozal Town and a couple of small Corozal guesthouses report they suffered some structural damage and haven't decided when they'll reopen.

Reporting hotels in Orange Walk District say they suffered no significant damage and are open (unless already closed for seasonal maintenance).

Most hotels on Ambergris Caye report that they suffered no structural damage. A few had minor damage and downed trees and some beach erosion. Most will reopen on Thursday, after grounds cleanup. Victoria House, Costa Maya Resort and a few others are closed for a short time for cleanup.

Hotels on Caye Caulker uniformly report no damage, and most have stayed open, though a few will reopen later this week or early next, after cleanup.

Properties in Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo districts uniformly report no damage and are open for business, except for those already closed for routine seasonal maintenance.

Bottom line is that the tourism industry in Belize suffered very little damage and that except for some short-term cancellations during the next few weeks -- Belize's slowest tourism period anyway -- the tourism industry should not have any significant impact from Hurricane Dean.

--Lan Sluder