The flow of Belizeans traveling into Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico, has decreased by about 37% from 2008 to date, according to an analysis done at the Embassy of Mexico in Belize. That’s not good news for the neighboring countries economy.

Well aware of the impact the drop of visitors from Belize could cause, President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism, Ligia Sierra Aguilar is already taking measures to restore the central business and tourism market between both countries.

On Tuesday Aguilar met with Mexico’s Ambassador to Belize, Mario Velasquez, where the possibilities of extending the economic flow between Quintana Roo and Belize was discussed and analyzed. Discussions will continue on the next trade meeting to be held in Belize within the next two months. It is expected that some 20 Mexican entrepreneurs will attend the meeting.

Statistics show that in 2008, the number of Belizean visitors to Chetumal by land was 790 thousand 868 people. This number reduced drastically in 2009 to five hundred and seventy six thousand three hundred visitors. In 2010 and 2012, approximately five hundred and ninety six thousand five hundred Belizeans visited the neighboring country. That amount reduced in 2013 to five hundred and thirty six thousand three hundred persons.

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