At the inauguration of the new San Pedro Artisan Market, Minister of Tourism Hon. Anthony Mahler didn’t just cut a ribbon. He made a statement that should echo across every dock, beach, and back street on Ambergris Caye. San Pedro and Caye Caulker, he said, are responsible for 70% of the country’s tourism revenue.
Seventy percent.
That’s not a small statistic. That’s the backbone of Belize’s tourism economy. And if that’s the case, then these two islands deserve more than praise. They deserve priority.
During his remarks, the Minister openly acknowledged what residents and long-standing tourism stakeholders have been saying for years. We are playing catch-up. Population growth over the past two decades has outpaced infrastructure. Development has moved faster than planning. Garbage, unregulated structures, and inconsistent organization in key tourism areas are hurting the very experience we depend on.
His words were clear. We cannot continue to operate at a high level while offering substandard surroundings, not for residents, not for visitors, and not for businesses investing in our islands.
Important Tourism Projects
So the question now is simple: what happens next? Among the projects he highlighted were upgrades to Secret Beach Road and the overall organization of the Secret Beach area. Anyone who has driven that stretch or spent time out there knows it’s overdue. Secret Beach is one of the fastest-growing attractions on Ambergris Caye. If it’s “too important to get wrong,” as he said, then we should expect to see timelines, clear planning, and visible action soon.
The Town Council is hammering down on illegal encroachments on the public space AND imposing fines where applicable, this is essential to keep our island looking clean
The Minister also spoke about a full island cleanup initiative. That alone is something the community has been demanding for years. Clean streets, organized lots, proper waste management, and enforcement of regulations are not luxuries in a tourism destination. They’re basic requirements.
Then there’s the relocation of the border management facility. According to the Minister, it has been misplaced from day one due to shallow draft issues. The bigger vision? A first-class marina in San Pedro that could attract yachts and higher-end maritime tourism. That’s a bold idea. A transformative one, if done correctly. But again, it requires planning, environmental oversight, and transparency.
He also referenced discussions about the North Ambergris Airport, road upgrades, and the overall upliftment of North Ambergris. These are not minor undertakings. They would reshape development patterns and potentially unlock new growth zones on the island. All of this sounds promising. On paper. But here’s where accountability comes in.
If San Pedro and Caye Caulker truly generate 70% of tourism revenues, then reinvestment into infrastructure, environmental protection, enforcement, and sustainable development cannot move at a marginal pace. It cannot sit in Cabinet discussions indefinitely. “Hopefully the work starts sooner rather than later” cannot be the final note.
The Minister pointed to record-breaking January numbers as a sign of hope. Tourism is growing. Visitor arrivals are strong. The product is still attractive. But growth without structure is not success. Growth without sustainability becomes a problem.
We have a long way to go, as he admitted.
The partnership between the Ministry, the Town Council, and the Area Representative is essential. But partnership must produce measurable results. Residents should be able to track progress. Businesses should know what regulations are coming. Investors should understand the development vision. And communities should see visible improvements, cleaner streets, organized public spaces, safer roads, stronger environmental protections.
San Pedro and Caye Caulker have carried Belize’s tourism economy for decades. The people who live and work here have built that reputation through hospitality, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Now the expectation is simple: match words with action. If these islands are the engine of tourism in Belize, then it’s time to invest like it.
