AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel Why Belize Suffers in the Tourism Business

Yes Barbara K. dead right.
I just hope that you did not misinterpret the debate Phil and I have been having as a debate of Quality v Quantity.
Absolutely not. High value High quality low volume is definately the route to go. My point about airfares is that EVEN at the high end of the market, our ability to compete is being damaged by high airfares. Even some of the higher price eco tourists are not coming here now.
The big question is-is it too late? I fear that GOB has made it clear they will encourage anything even casinos if it pulls more people into Belize. I am opposed to mass tourism in such a small country with such small but beautiful natural resources.
Phil is right. lets hope someone in Belmopan is listening.

You can get fares on a number of beautiful vacation destinations just by pushing a button.
People don't visit the cozy offices of their travel agent for an explanation of why they should pay the highest fare.
On the previous page, a post from Hon says he doesn't want to stop vacationing in Belize, but the fares are thousands more than a flight to Roatan, so it looks like he'll be going there instead.
Low volume that would close dive shops, restaurants, stores, and services may be on its way, as an unintended consequence of having airfares that discourage visitors from coming.

Not true about flights to Roatan. Just was looking. RT to BZE is $518, RT to Roatan is $779, Continental.

Airfare for a family is a lot more than airfare for one traveler, obviously. The fare I posted above is accurate and current for today on Continental's website. Must also take into account the time of year. Fares are generally cheaper during the summer months. Fares in January are high season, so it is to be expected.

Sunwing is a charter. They fly to Roatan (non stop I might add) only in high season.

Sunwing flew to BZE for 3 years (I went with them each year they did so) and offered packages in Belize City, San Pedro, San Ignacio and Placencia. For the broken out flight to Belize, I paid anywhere from $425CA to $575CA.

Last year Sunwing stopped going to Belize. I flew USAirways and paid $750CA...and that's only because I had the patience to wait until 3 weeks out for the prices to come down from almost $900 on all the American carriers out of Toronto. Of course, if one is staying in San Pedro, one must add in the cost of getting to and from the island itself.

Sunwing, which is one of Canada's premier charter airlines, continues to offer flights to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. Why not Belize?

Landing fee's, fuel cost ?

I think Sunwing also goes to Roatan. As I posted earlier flights can be cheaper to Roatan than Belize or more expensive (depending on the airline) but you will make up that extra cost by lower food/booze prices, transportation, lodging/condo rental and you don't have the extra flight from BZE to San Pedro. Roatan has only 2 US carriers (Continental and Delta) flying in on Fri Sat Sun in the winter.

In other words, things that the government of Belize can control.

...and either Northern Canuck doesn't know that Roatan is in Honduras or he has me on 'Ignore'

How could anyone ignore you, sweet thang