The world financial markets are in turmoil and nowhere are things more uncertain than in the United States. And the old saying is as true as ever, when they sneeze, we catch the cold. Translated for the current crisis, that means that with the contraction of the us economy and the credit crisis, many Americans won't be taking a vacation this year because they can't afford to. That's grave news with the tourism sector coming off two successive quarters of negative growth. The prime minister today discussed the U.S. financial crisis and how the tourism sector will respond.

Hon. Dean Barrow,
"Certainly no one need worry about the finances in the country in terms of the Central Bank. No one need worry about the exposure of the local commercial banks. They have no exposure as far as I can determine. In terms of tourism, to try to combat the slowdown as a consequence of the credit crunch and the fact of less disposable money on the part of Americans, the BTB and the Ministry of Tourism is going to embark on a heightened marketing campaign. The idea is to secure about one and a half million dollars in funds for a concentrated short term marketing campaign so that we might try to make up for the downturn in visitors flow by putting our product out there in as attractive a form as possible."

http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=12407

Well the downturn in tourism started last year, wonder why they waited so long? I see no time line on the advertising campaign. Again, it would be a real plus if they could get the PG International airport open to flights from Europe. Whereas there might not be enough tourists initially to fill a regularly scheduled flight out of the UK, there are many charter operations that would most likely be interested. What is the hold up with getting the international flights in?

the charter operations do not have the planes that can fly this far without making a stop and this is impractical

So to sum it up. For whatever reason, despite statements to the contrary in the past, the PG International airport is not suitable for flights originating from other than North America. If it was suitable, they still would not come because it is not cost effective for the majors and there are no charters that can make it without a stop. Wonder how the charters do it to Cancun or Cozumel? Tourism is down in the US because of the economic downturn. Why would the Belize government waste their limited money on an ad campaign to no one? Who is their target audience? What is practical?

One reason that it makes sense to advertise now is that a small portion of traveling Americans knows anything about Belize.

Many people will continue to travel, but they will be looking to spend less than they might have before.

Indeed.

To do a wholesale charter trip there has to be a resort that can handle 200+ guests in the same type of room for a week. I use 200+ as a starting point due to the number of seats an airliner that can fly to Belize non stop has. It has to be sold as a package also. The flight from Goldson to San Pedro adds another $100 to the package. Then it is a boat ride north to a resort that will be big enough. Mexico also doesn't have "monopoly" laws on imports, thus making it cheap for a mega resort to be "all inclusive" with the booze and food. I have looked into chartering flights down from Canada but the numbers don't work. Why spend WAY more to see Belize when most just want to go to the beach, get drunk, eat lots and get sunburned?

So you're saying "why come here at all"?

There are charters from the UK to Cancun that are air only. In fact the company is called, Just the Flight. Agreed it is easier and by most counts a lot cheaper to do the all inclusive deal at the mega resort, but unless something gets started, "why come here at all?''

This is all a moot point unless aircraft originating from somewhere other that North America can use the PG International airport. The question is, can European flights land at PG? If not, why not?

"We need more people visiting, we need charters! We need more people! We need cheaper food and drink! Belize is doomed"

next breath...

"Whoa, you can't build that mega hotel here. You are killing the reef. Belize is doomed"


A holiday in St. Barts costs a bit more than man made Cancun for a reason (and Barts is full of Europeans).

Less = more.

Each destination in Belize should be critical in defining their unique product and targeting the respective market.