Belize City, Thursday, March 4, 2004Studies conducted by Conde Nast
Traveler Research Center indicate that Belize remains atop the minds of
travelers, and the outlook for Belize's industry growth is favorable.
According to the reportWhat Matters Now-Conde Nast Traveler Reportwhich is
published every four to six weeks, 58 percent of the readership polled
expressed familiarity with Belize when asked about a tourism destination in
Central America. Coming in second on this list, Belize tops several other
Central American destinations, such as Panama, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua and El Salvador.
In an assessment of travel perceptions, approximately 87 percent of
travelers reported that they perceived Belize as politically stable and
generally safe placing us among the top two destinations in this regions.
The survey also revealed that culture was one of the overall motivating
factors in visiting Central America. Most people also reported that their
number one activity while traveling relates to marine attractions (water
sports). As Belize boasts three of the Caribbean's four atolls, the world's
second largest barrier reef, the Blue Hole, nearly 400 varying species of
fish and 70 types of hard coral, the destination clearly has the
competitive advantage.
Interestingly, in terms of determining true value of a destination, people
believe that the destination's most indispensable resource is its people.
Of all those involved with the study, 38 percent are planning a trip to
Belize within the course of 2004 and will stay at hotels/resorts. Only nine
percent plan to visit by cruise ships.
"The results of this study are quite encouraging, as it indicates growing
appreciation and awareness of Belize. Projections are seemingly quite
positive as well, with such a high percentage of prospective visitors
reporting a desire to travel and explore irrespective of unfavorable
fluctuations on the world scene," comments Director of Tourism Tracy
Taegar.
The research center which performs the study, aimed at "keeping abreast
of�[North American travelers' habits and trends," is that of the
publication Conde Nast Traveler, which features a circulation of more than
three quarter of a million and caters principally to the educated,
experienced, discerning, frequent world traveler with varying interests,
including art, fashion, architecture, culture, cuisine.
The report is notably based on "quantitative information gathered from
[their] polls, along with intelligence from third party sources," and
incorporate responses from their e-mail subscribers.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
