Quintana Roo Nautical Association Pursues Maritime Alliance With Belize

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The Quintana Roo Nautical Association is building an alliance with Belize’s tourism authorities to strengthen maritime connections between the two destinations and open new opportunities for sailors, boat owners and businesses tied to the nautical tourism industry.

The group met with Belizean tourism representatives during the boat show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the Belizean delegation presented the options available to Mexicans who want to visit the country and to encourage more boat traffic between the two nations.

Free digital border card

Among the benefits outlined was a digital border-crossing card that lets travelers stay in Belize for up to seven days at no cost for the paperwork.

Simone Bell, a representative of the Belize Tourism Board, said the digital card was launched in October and is aimed at making travel easier for Mexican citizens.

She said applicants need only a national identification card or a passport, and that once issued the card remains valid for three years. Holders can enter Belize for visits of up to seven days at a time, with no fee for the document itself.

Bell met with nautical operators from the Mexican Caribbean to explain how the benefits could be used to explore Belizean waters and expand their maritime tourism offerings.

Building a regional sailing route

The alliance forms part of the association’s efforts to consolidate what it calls the Mexican Caribbean’s “nautical ladder,” an initiative designed to link different navigation points and make it easier to travel by sea between destinations in the region.

Francisco Fernandez, president of the association, stressed the importance of giving sailors clear information about the requirements, procedures and opportunities for traveling to Belize.

He said that although Belize is part of the routes available to visitors sailing the Caribbean, there is still little awareness about how to get there, what entry procedures apply and what facilities exist.

The association therefore aims to deepen cooperation with Belizean tourism authorities and put that information within reach of boat owners, sailing enthusiasts and companies in the sector.

Through the initiative, the industry is looking to create new business opportunities, ease maritime travel and strengthen regional tourism integration, drawing on the geographic proximity and natural attractions the two destinations share.