by Kory Leslie (Freelance Writer)

Belize City, Thurs. Jan. 12, 2023

Belize has been listed by CNN Travel as one of the best destinations to visit in 2023. The article, which highlights 22 other top-tier destinations ranging from Poland to Fiji, was published on January 2, and it makes note of the “low-hassle” enjoyment that visitors to Belize tend to experience even during the peak tourism period from November to April.

CNN’s highlight also makes mention of some of the well-known attractions that keep our tourism sector active year-round, like the dozens of islands neighboring the coast, the Belize Barrier Reef, the Great Blue Hole, and the myriad caves, Maya temples, and rainforests scattered throughout the country. Reviews such as this one will hopefully bode well for all stakeholders in the industry who are still currently rebounding from the pandemic-induced decimation of tourism in early 2020 which led to the unemployment of over 39,000 Belizeans, according to a 2021 report published by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).

Notably, as of November 2022, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has reported a 12.1% increase in the total number of overnight tourist arrivals when compared to 2021. Over the past years, Belize has repeatedly been featured as one of the best destinations in the world to visit by prominent international publications and travel media brands such as Forbes, Lonely Planet, and Passport Heavy, which all featured the country in 2022.

Photo CNN – Belize: The largest island in Belize, Ambergris Caye, boasts idyllic beaches and world-class diving. But the country’s inland rainforests and archaeological ruins are well worth a visit, too.