Belize highlights its natural wealth and commitment to sustainability ahead of the STC 2026

With an eye toward strengthening its international positioning, Belize is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism and preparing to welcome industry leaders at the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026), which will be held from April 27 to 30 in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

In the lead-up to the event organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Belize's Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, extended an open invitation to industry leaders to experience the country's attractions firsthand, highlighting its natural wealth and its focus on sustainable development.

“It is an honor for us to host the upcoming Sustainable Tourism Conference under the theme 'Tourism in Full Color',” Mahler said during his participation in the CTO's Air Connectivity Summit, recently held in Bermuda.

The official emphasized that there is still ample room to promote Belize's tourism offerings in the region. In that regard, he highlighted some of its main assets: the second largest barrier reef in the world, second only to Australia; three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere; the iconic Great Blue Hole; between 250 and 300 islands; remnants of the Mayan civilization; as well as rivers, mountains, and a lush rainforest.

He also highlighted the destination's accessibility and the diversity of experiences concentrated in a compact area. “You don't need to travel to distant destinations to enjoy world-class diving, cultural heritage, or great human diversity. Belize brings all of that together in one place,” he stated.

In line with its development strategy, Belize has prioritized sustainable tourism for nearly five decades, with ecotourism at its core. Currently, the country has approximately 12,000 hotel rooms, many of them in small-scale accommodations that reflect a community-based model.

The 17th edition of the STC, organized by the CTO in conjunction with the Belize Tourism Board, will take place under the theme “Tourism in Full Color: Integrating Blue, Green, Orange and Beyond Economies into Sustainable Planning and Development.” The event will bring together regional and international leaders to discuss innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.

The event will feature Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan, CEO of New Zealand Māori Tourism, who will deliver the keynote address. The program will also include ministerial roundtables, technical sessions, masterclasses, and destination experiences, focusing on the blue economy, green solutions to climate change, and the development of cultural and creative industries.

In this way, Belize seeks to consolidate itself as a benchmark in sustainable tourism in the Caribbean, using the STC 2026 as a platform to promote strategic alliances, generate innovative ideas and move towards a responsible growth model for the region.

Source: Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) / Belize Tourism Board