Belize It Or Not! - Central America, A 2019 Favourite?

The opening up of additional flight routes, along with a myriad of new hotels and supporting promotional campaigns, means Central America will figure high on 2019 travel calendars.

That’s the view of the Central America Travel Association which has tipped Belize as one of its ‘hot’ destinations.

The country’s approach to sustainable eco practices was reinforced following news that legislation had been passed banning single-use plastic items from 22 April this year, coinciding with Earth Day.

There have also been major conservation measures to protect the Belize Barrier Reef and, allied to the boost the country has seen in luxury hotel offerings, the Association remains convinced that Belize is set to become a major eco-tourism destination this year.

Hotel properties under construction and set to open their doors in the next few years, include Itz’ana Resort and Residences (spring 2019), Unscripted Belize (2019), Autograph Collection Hotel Alaia (2020) and the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel (2021).

Panama
Featured on Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries to visit in 2019 alongside Belize is Panama. Panama is predicted to be particularly lively throughout the year thanks to the celebrations for the capital’s 500th anniversary since its founding.

Large visitor numbers are expected as a result of the landmark event combined with continued development in tourism infrastructure, such as the proposed attractions at the Panama Canal. Plans have been revealed to construct a children’s park, new visitor centre and an operational cable car to encourage visits to the canal and ensure tourists get the most out of their visit.

Panama has also seen investment in its inbound transportation links with Air Europa launching a new flight route from Madrid Barajas airport to Panama’s Tocumen International beginning this June.

Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has been recognised as one of the world’s top golf destinations of 2019 having been awarded the ‘Best Golf Destination for Latin America and Caribbean 2019’ at the International Association of Tour Operators of Golf (IAGTO). This is the fourth time the island nation has been awarded the prestigious title in a six year period, firmly securing its status as a top golfing retreat for 2019. The country hopes that the award combined with a surge in the demand for leisure and wellness breaks will make it a popular choice among travellers this year.

……and finally….Honduras
Honduras’ continued investment in its tourism infrastructure shows the country’s commitment to the industry. As such, the Honduran Tourism Board recently launched a new video campaign to highlight the beauty and diversity of Honduras - under the slogan “you can’t leave Honduras without really knowing Honduras.” Diversifying the tourism portfolio is strong on the priority list with the launch of the new Marina Copán Convention Centre.

Further infrastructural developments include the construction of the Aloft hotel in San Pedro Sula opening 2020, as well as the Hilton Garden Inn Tegucigalpa set to open in 2021, marking the debut of the brand in Honduras.