• Cruises to Belize might be a relatively new thing, but they're catching on.cruise ship image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Belize is an increasingly popular tourist destination located in Central America. While it hasn't received the attention of Panama or Costa Rica, Belize is the only native English-speaking nation in Central America. Their combination of semi-tropical jungle climate, uncrowded white sand beaches and beautiful barrier reefs draw visitors from around the world. One area of tourism that has only recently developed in Belize is the cruise tourism industry.
  
  

Economic Benefit

• More visitors means more income and a better standard of living for locals.tourists sightseeing image by Canakris from Fotolia.com
  
  The economic benefit of the tourism industry there is impossible to deny. Tourism is cited by the Belize government as the second most important area of economic development, right behind agriculture. Cruise tourism accounts for approximately 20 percent of all tourism in Belize. As the nation's second largest economic sector, cruise tourism accounts for over $30 million in annual revenue and over 10 percent of all tourist related jobs, according to the "Cruise Tourism in Belize" report compiled by the Center for Ecotourism and Sustainable Development.
  
  

Environmental Awareness

• Belize has the largest and one of the most impressive coral reefs in the world.coral reef in belize image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  A second benefit of cruise tourism in Belize is environmental awareness, especially for those who come via cruise and stay over on land. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest such reef in the Western Hemisphere, and is home to the Blue Hole, a tremendous pool of deep blue water surrounded by a circle of coral. The structure is the only one of its kind in the world. Many tourists are surprised to find a thriving ecotourist business in the jungles, complete with tours of the many Mayan ruins that dot the country. Cruise tourism offers visitors a view of some amazing natural environments, while also providing income and incentive for the Belize government to protect and preserve them.
  
  

Cruise Tourism Increases Expatriation

• Maintenance of Mayan Ruins comes from tourist dollars.maison maya image by G??raldine Royer from Fotolia.com
  
  Cruise tourism not only has a major direct economic impact on Belize, it benefits the country in a secondary way as well. The government's effort to get more retirees to expatriate to the country has been rather effective. Many visitors cruise to Belize from the United States or Great Britain, fall in love with the country and then retire there, bringing along a healthy amount of retirement funds that help the community wherever they settle. For many expatriates, a cruise was the first step toward relocating. Don't be surprised if the Brit or Yank sitting at the bar is a citizen and not another tourist.