Belize positions itself as a sustainable tourism leader prior to STC

Belize’s tourism minister issued last month an open invitation to global industry leaders to visit the Central American-Caribbean destination at the end of April, spotlighting its world-class natural assets and long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism.

Speaking ahead of a major Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) gathering, Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations Anthony Mahler promoted the country’s diverse appeal in the lead-up to the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026), set for April 27–30 in Belize.

“It is our honor to host the next Sustainable Tourism Conference in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, under the theme ‘Tourism in Full Color,’” Mahler told regional delegates at CTO’s Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda last month.

Mahler acknowledged that Belize remains under the radar for many across the Caribbean, positioning the event as a key opportunity to raise awareness. He highlighted the destination’s standout attractions, including the world’s second-largest barrier reef after Australia, three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere, the iconic Great Blue Hole, and between 250 and 300 offshore islands. Belize also offers rich Maya heritage, around 35 rivers, mountainous terrain, and dense rainforest comparable to the Amazon.

He underscored Belize’s accessibility and range of experiences: “You don’t have to go to Australia for great diving or snorkeling. You don’t have to go to Egypt to see pyramids. And you don’t have to visit New York, Miami, or Los Angeles for cultural diversity. Belize offers all of this within a compact destination.”

Mahler added that Belize has prioritized sustainable tourism for nearly 50 years, with eco-adventure central to its development strategy. The country’s tourism inventory includes roughly 12,000 rooms, many of them small-scale properties aligned with a community-based, sustainable model.

The 17th edition of STC, organized by CTO in partnership with the Belize Tourism Board, will bring together regional and international stakeholders under the theme “Tourism in Full Color: Integrating Blue, Green, Orange and Beyond Economies into Sustainable Planning and Development.”

Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan, Chief Executive of New Zealand Māori Tourism, will deliver the keynote address. The program will include ministerial round-tables, expert-led sessions, masterclasses, and field experiences focused on the blue economy, climate-resilient green solutions, orange economy initiatives tied to culture and creativity, as well as broader priorities such as social cohesion and inclusive growth.

The conference highlights Belize’s continued leadership in sustainable tourism and positions the country as a driver of innovation and responsible growth in the Caribbean. STC 2026 is expected to serve as a platform for bold ideas, strategic partnerships, and actionable outcomes as stakeholders work to shape a more sustainable future for regional tourism.