AGP Executive Report

Sargassum and Tourism: Prime Minister John Briceño asked the IDB for support as sargassum harms tourism communities including San Pedro and Hopkins. Belize is exploring ways to turn the seaweed into energy and other useful products. Air Access: BermudAir plans five U.S. gateways to Belize, starting with Fort Lauderdale on October 26; Boston, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando Sanford and St. Petersburg follow in December. Hotel Recognition: San Ignacio Resort Hotel has been named Belize’s Leading Hotel for the fifth year in a row, as it marks its 50th anniversary. Taiwan Tourism: Taiwan’s foreign minister says he hopes to attract more Taiwanese visitors to Belize and identified tourism, health, agriculture and aquaculture as areas for closer cooperation.

Air Access: BermudAir plans five U.S. gateways to Belize, with Fort Lauderdale service starting October 26 and routes from Boston, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando Sanford and St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay due in December. The expansion comes after a summer dip in overnight arrivals; limited Fort Lauderdale fares start at US$99 one way. Hotel Recognition: San Ignacio Resort Hotel has again been named Belize’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards, its fifth straight win. The Cayo property is also marking 50 years in business. Tourism Partnerships: Taiwan’s foreign minister says his country wants to send more travelers to Belize and is exploring tourism cooperation alongside projects in health, agriculture and aquaculture. Taiwan is also looking at ways to turn sargassum into renewable energy.

Air Access: BermudAir is adding five U.S. gateways to Belize: Fort Lauderdale service starts October 26, with Boston, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando Sanford and St. Petersburg routes due in December. The added flights arrive ahead of high season, after a summer dip in overnight visitors. Hotel Honors: San Ignacio Resort Hotel has won Belize’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards for the fifth year in a row, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Taiwan Tourism Links: Taiwan’s foreign minister says his government hopes to send more travelers to Belize and is exploring cooperation in tourism, health, agriculture and aquaculture. The talks come as China sanctions Belize Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca over Belize’s ties with Taiwan; Belize says the measures will not change its foreign policy.

Air Access: BermudAir is due to start seasonal nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City on October 26, adding another U.S. gateway for winter travelers. Belize–Turks and Caicos trips will require a stop. Resort Recognition: Five Belizean resorts have earned MICHELIN Key recognition, putting the country’s accommodation options in the spotlight. Southern Belize: The government is scrambling to save Punta Gorda flights, while San Antonio Village has been selected for a community tourism pilot. Sustainable Tourism: A Strong Coasts project presented at SOTIC 2026 links community-led environmental monitoring with sustainable tourism.

Air Connectivity: BermudAir plans seasonal Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights from October 26, adding winter travel options; trips onward to Turks and Caicos require a stop. Sustainable Tourism: Belize’s Strong Coasts project is bringing tour guides and researchers together to document the cayes, with plans for visitor participation in conservation and learning. Belize Stays: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Key recognition, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award, giving travelers fresh reasons to explore Belize’s lodging options. Southern Access: The government is scrambling to save Punta Gorda flights, a key connection for travelers heading to Toledo.

Cultural Heritage: Belize marked Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day on October 12, offering visitors a chance to reflect on Maya heritage and the communities protecting their lands, culture and traditions. Coastal Tourism: A new government-backed assessment is measuring how sargassum affects hotel bookings, tourist spending, fisheries and coastal livelihoods in Placencia, Hopkins, San Pedro and other communities; findings could help shape Belize’s response. Sustainable Experiences: At a regional tourism conference, Belizean guides and researchers presented a project to document the country’s 400-plus cayes, with potential for visitors to join conservation and learning activities. Travel Access: BermudAir has announced new nonstop service linking Florida and Belize, alongside Turks and Caicos and Bermuda, with introductory fares advertised from $99. Belize Highlights: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Key recognition, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award. In San Pedro, Chon Saan Palace has opened, adding a popular Belizean restaurant brand to Ambergris Caye’s dining scene.

San Pedro Dining: Chon Saan Palace has opened in downtown San Pedro, bringing its Chinese and Belizean favourites to Ambergris Caye. Coastal Tourism: Belize is assessing how sargassum affects hotel bookings, tourist spending, fisheries and coastal livelihoods, to help shape a stronger response. Sustainable Travel: The Strong Coasts project is pairing tour guides with researchers to document reefs, mangroves and local histories across Belize’s 400-plus cayes, with opportunities for visitors to take part. Visitor Access: BermudAir has announced new nonstop service linking Florida and Belize, with introductory fares advertised from $99. Tourism Recognition: Five Belize resorts earned MICHELIN Keys, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award. Tourism Governance: The CCJ upheld former BTB executives’ contracts, leaving awards of about $970,000 in place.

Sustainable Tourism: Belize’s Strong Coasts project showcased a community-led effort to document the country’s 400-plus cayes, pairing tour guides with researchers to monitor reefs, mangroves and seagrass. The work could also create hands-on learning opportunities for visitors. San Pedro Dining: Chon Saan Palace has opened on Ambergris Caye, adding the well-known Belizean restaurant brand to the island’s food scene, with dine-in and takeout available. Coastal Challenges: A new assessment examined how sargassum affects tourism, fisheries and livelihoods in Placencia, Hopkins, San Pedro and other coastal communities, including changes to hotel bookings and tourist spending. Tourism Board Ruling: The CCJ upheld contracts for former BTB executives Karen Bevans and Misty Michael, leaving awards of $770,000 and more than $200,000 in place. New Air Link: BermudAir announced nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City service and introductory one-way fares from $99 for travel through December 18.

Tourism & Conservation: Belize’s Strong Coasts project showcased community-led reef, seagrass and mangrove monitoring at SOTIC 2026, linking local knowledge with sustainable tourism. Ambergris Caye: Chon Saan Palace opened its San Pedro location on Saturday, adding a well-known Belizean restaurant brand to the island’s dining scene. Coastal Risks: A new assessment examined how sargassum affects hotel occupancy, bookings, visitor spending, fisheries and livelihoods in coastal communities, including San Pedro, Placencia and Caye Caulker. Getting Here: BermudAir has launched nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights three times weekly, with introductory one-way fares from $99 available through October 19 for travel by December 18. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village will pilot a tourism plan built around Maya heritage and local attractions, with residents helping guide development through 2028. Belize Recognition: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Keys, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award. Tourism Governance: The CCJ upheld the Belize Tourism Board’s contracts with former executives Karen Bevans and Misty Michael, leaving awards of $770,000 and more than $200,000 in place.

San Pedro Dining: Chon Saan Palace opened today on Middle Street, bringing its popular Chinese dishes to Ambergris Caye with dine-in and takeout service. Sustainable Tourism: At SOTIC 2026, Strong Coasts showcased a Belize-led project pairing tour guides with researchers to document the cayes’ reefs, wildlife and local histories. Coastal Pressures: Belize’s environment department assessed how sargassum affects tourism, fisheries and livelihoods in six coastal communities, including San Pedro, Placencia and Caye Caulker. Air Access: BermudAir has launched new Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights three times a week, with introductory one-way fares from $99 through October 19. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village will pilot a JICA-backed tourism plan through 2028, building on Maya heritage and local attractions. Tourism Board Ruling: The CCJ upheld former BTB executives’ employment contracts, leaving awards of about $970,000 in place. Belize Resorts Recognized: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Keys, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice award.

Coastal Tourism: Belize’s Environment Department assessed how sargassum affects hotel bookings, visitor spending, fisheries and livelihoods in coastal communities, including Placencia, Hopkins and San Pedro. Air Access: BermudAir announced new nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights, with introductory one-way fares from $99 on sale through October 19 for travel by December 18. Tourism Governance: The CCJ upheld the Belize Tourism Board’s contracts with former executives Karen Bevans and Misty Michael, leaving awards of $770,000 and more than $200,000 in place. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village will pilot a tourism plan that builds on Maya heritage and local attractions, with residents helping shape development through 2028. Resilience: Caribbean tourism leaders are urging investment plans to include disaster preparations and business-continuity measures. Industry Recognition: Five Belize resorts earned MICHELIN Key recognition, while Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort was named among Condé Nast Traveler’s top 20 Central American resorts.

Tourism Leadership: At the regional tourism conference, Guyana’s president urged Caribbean destinations to invest in disaster readiness, transport links and stronger regional supply chains to stay competitive. Air Access: BermudAir announced new nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights three times a week, with $99 introductory fares on sale through Oct. 19 for travel by Dec. 18; more U.S. routes are planned. Tourism Governance: The CCJ dismissed BTB’s appeals, leaving awards of about $770,000 for former Tourism Director Karen Bevans and more than $200,000 for Misty Michael in place. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village will pilot a JICA-supported plan through 2028, building tourism around Maya heritage and local attractions while giving residents a role in shaping development. Resort Honors: Five Belize properties earned MICHELIN Keys; Gaia Riverlodge received two, and four others earned one each. Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort also received a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award. Island Experiences: San Pedro’s growing food scene is drawing attention, while Punta Fest is set for Nov. 7 at Traveller’s Bar.

Tourism Governance: The CCJ upheld the Belize Tourism Board’s contracts with former executives Karen Bevans and Misty Michael, leaving awards of about $970,000 in place. The ruling says the board cannot use its own procedural failure to avoid its obligations. Disaster Readiness: Caribbean leaders are urging tourism businesses to build disaster plans into investments from the start, alongside stronger regional transport and supply links. Air Access: BermudAir announced three weekly nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights, with introductory one-way fares from $99 on sale through October 19 for travel by December 18. Resort Recognition: Five Belize properties earned MICHELIN Keys, led by Gaia Riverlodge with two; Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort also ranked among Condé Nast Traveler’s top 20 resorts in Central America. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village was selected for a tourism pilot that will help residents develop visitor experiences while protecting local culture and nature. Southern Belize Access: Government is discussing support for air service to Punta Gorda after Tropic Air said low demand and losses could end its flights, a concern for Toledo’s tourism businesses. Island Dining: San Pedro’s expanding restaurant scene is drawing attention as a destination in its own right.

Air Access: BermudAir is offering $99 introductory one-way fares on new nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Belize City flights, operating Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Book by October 19 for travel by December 18. San Pedro Dining: Ambergris Caye’s restaurant scene has grown from a handful of local spots into a wide-ranging culinary destination, with options to suit visitors staying a few days—or much longer. Community Tourism: San Antonio Village will pilot a tourism plan built around Maya heritage, nature and its eco-museum, giving residents a role in shaping visitor experiences through 2028. Southern Connections: Tropic Air plans to end scheduled Punta Gorda service, citing losses and low demand. The government is in talks with Maya Air to try to preserve the route. Resort Recognition: Five Belize resorts earned MICHELIN Keys, led by Gaia Riverlodge with two; Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort was named the No. 16 resort in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Southern Air Links: Tropic Air plans to end its Punta Gorda service, citing low demand and losses. The government is discussing options with Maya Air to keep Toledo connected by air. Belize Stays in the Spotlight: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Keys, led by Gaia Riverlodge with two; Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort was also named a top-20 Central American resort in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Getting Around: The National Bus Company says WhatsApp ticket booking is coming, with QR-code boarding and updates on schedules and delays. Nature Travel: Belize’s Birding Festival took flight in Orange Walk, spotlighting the country’s birding appeal. Quieter Caribbean Escape: A travel guide points to Caye Caulker as an option for visitors seeking an island stay away from mega-ship crowds.

Southern Air Links: The government is talking with Maya Air about keeping flights to Punta Gorda after Tropic Air plans to end service on November 1. The loss could hurt Toledo’s tourism businesses as well as local residents. Belize Hotels in the Spotlight: Five resorts earned MICHELIN Keys for 2026: Gaia Riverlodge received two, while Copal Tree Lodge, Blancaneaux Lodge, Thatch Caye and Matachica Resort and Spa each received one. Traveler Recognition: Hopkins’ Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort was named the No. 16 resort in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Marine Conservation: Belize’s Sustainable Ocean Plan aims to guide tourism, fishing and conservation in the country’s waters, while a new Marie Sharp’s partnership will help fund manatee protection. Getting Around: The National Bus Company is preparing WhatsApp ticketing, with QR-code boarding and schedule updates that could make inland travel easier.