Big Numbers for Belize Tourism & Health Care and Airline News

We just passed the halfway mark for 2018, and according to recent Belize Tourism Board numbers, the country is gaining more popularity as a top vacation destination. Overnight tourist arrivals continue to rise at an increase of 17% compared to June 2017. Cruise ships skyrocketed 57% – over 73,000 arrived by water, a huge jump from the same time last year. Of course, once people come for a day they can’t help but to want more. This was the case for 43,000 travelers, up 15% from last June.

From ruins and rainforest to our spectacular barrier reef, delicious foods and beautiful souls, it is no surprise that more people are putting Belize on their vacation to-do lists.

Other Important Numbers

It is a great thing tourism numbers are rising steadily because it generates more tacogirl flight code use. This, in turn, means that your simple travel-related action is hugely helping improve Belize health care. Which brings us to more very important numbers I have been waiting for so I could share.

I asked Raisa at the Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga to further educate me in on their situation. In addition to the 55 people a month who need a treatment subsidy, there are some extra monthly expenses (listed below) required by financially disadvantaged patients. Medical pricing is in Belize currency.

Extra Monthly Subsidized Expenses

An average of three patients per month requires Herceptin, which is a medically preferred hormone replacement therapy for patients with hormone-positive breast cancer. Generally, this medication is prescribed in a cycle of 6 doses at a total cost of $3000.

For diagnostic Laboratory and Imaging studies. An average of five patients per month requires financial support to pay for CT scans, other radiology studies, and other lab tests. Almost all of these patients are unemployed and have no financial resources.

The cost of a CT scan which is accessible only in Belmopan and Belize City is approximately $580.00 BZD.

An average set of lab work which includes CBC, Chemistry, and Tumor Marker Test cost approximately $150.00 BZD.

All of the above (pricing in Belize dollars) places a big monthly financial challenge for the Belize Cancer center and they are extremely grateful my readers have stepped up to help with a $250 June flight code donation.

The main reason (aside from helping people who need it the most) this cause is so near to my heart is that two great friends are fighting cancer right now. One is in the country on the mainland and knowing the center needs help, got me involved. Thanks, Cheryl, it has been a life-changing experience. (Sadly in 2019 Cheryl lost her fight against Cancer.)

Your flight code horizon use (at no extra cost to you) directly helps Cancer patients who need a hand and their families at a most critical time. They need to focus on getting well not worrying about where their treatment money will come from. Image of a young girl receiving treatment courtesy of the Belize Cancer Center.

Fun Numbers

Now that you have done your good deed by using flight code horizon to book your Tropic Air flights, it’s time to celebrate. Belize is one on the shortlist of countries that offers inbound duty-free shopping before you clear customs.

After landing at Philip Goldson International Airport, stop by Premier Tax and Duty-Free and use code vacation starter or mention tacogirl. This gets you a tax-free 15% savings on something great to toast your trip with or perhaps some stylin’ souvenir sunglasses to start your vacation. Premier offers some swanky brands: Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Carrera, Fossil and Guess – all perfect for looking fabulous in your vacation pics. These prices range from $70.00 to $200.00 USD depending on the brand – not bad for designer shades and 15% off is even more fabulous.

A new alcohol shipment just came in and there are some great deals on Zacapa XO at $60.00 USD, Glenmorangie 18-year-old single malt scotch whiskey $75.00 USD, 3 litre Crown Royal for $58.00 USD – Wow.

Below you can see the price difference examples between buying alcohol on Ambergris Caye versus upon arrival at Philip Goldson – notable savings.

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Click through for a more extensive comparison chart to see how great a deal you are getting. Please note the duty-free discount does not apply to sales items.

Another Great Savings Opportunity

I have signed up a great new line up of local discounts for my readers and set up a great new platform to showcase them and other useful travel info on tacogirl Belize blog Google maps business listing. 7 new restaurants and tour companies just signed on so keep watching as their listings are all in the process of going live.  This means you will be easily able to save money on the spot or get a special offer with your picture coupon.

Local Airline News

This is an exciting time in terms of Belize flight options. Early airstrip completion will help you enjoy jet-setting in style.

Caye Caulker Runway Repair

Same goes for islands (two is better), if you are not staying there, be sure and visit Caye Caulker. The new runway is expected to be finished ahead of schedule and Caye Caulker Airport is scheduled to reopen on October 1, well ahead of the projected November time frame. My CC correspondent B. Flood watched the project from start to finish on an almost daily basis and talked to the workers. He said they worked really hard and it appears sound. Note he qualified himself as having zero construction experience, but if you want to learn to swim he is your guy 😀 He also gets credit for the Caye Caulker pictures.

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Tropic Air Invests in Tourism Numbers

Within the month of August, Tropic Air will sign off on the delivery of two Cessna Grand Caravan EX’s. These sparkling new planes are equipped with precision Garmin avionics, detailed weather radar, and air-conditioning for a comfortable flight.

“These aircraft represent a BZ$14,000,000 vote of confidence in the continued growth of tourism in Belize and in the expansion of Tropic Air,The Caravan is the right aircraft for Tropic as it allows us to serve all domestic airstrips within Belize. It also is the most technologically advanced aircraft in its class. We love its performance and passengers love it for the air-conditioning and comfort.” – John Greif III, Tropic Air President.

Steve Schulte, CEO of Tropic Air added, “As evidenced by our recent announcements of new interline partnerships with COPA and Condor Airlines, our increased service to Placencia, Roatan, San Pedro, and a restart of Caye Caulker operations, we are confident in our continued growth“.

Increased Flights to San Pedro

In addition to the “on the hour” flights, Tropic Air has increased service between San Pedro (SPR) and Belize City Municipal (TZA). There will now be 15 daily roundtrip flights. Flights will now begin at 6:30 am, from SPR with additional departures at 7:30 am, 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

The new departure times from TZA are 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 5:00 pm and the last one to the island leaves at 6:00 pm. This will benefit the business community and give the cave tubers and zip liners a little bit of “breathing room” to make the flights after their mainland excursions. In case you missed it the also popular Placencia is also benefitting from extra flights.

John Greif III, said, “Our business customers have been asking for earlier and later departures, as well as greater frequency on this important domestic route. With more aircraft being added to our fleet, we now have the ability to offer them greater flexibility to make the most of their day.”

Tropic Air has almost 40 years of service and flies to 15 destinations in Belize, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala with over 200 daily scheduled flights and 15 aircraft. The popular airline staffs over 350 people to help make smooth flying for more than 300,000 passengers and 425,000 pieces of cargo in 2017.

Aerial Shot of San Pedro Airport by L Kelly Jones