Globally, Belize is perceived as a "best practice" leader in the developing world. However, it competes heavily with Costa Rica. While Costa Rica is perceived as "mature and accessible," Belize is perceived as "adventurous and raw." This is a strategic asset but requires safety and infrastructure maintenance.
Crucially, 40% of tourists could not distinguish between a lodge that is genuinely certified (Green Globe) versus one that merely uses green marketing language. This is the central challenge in the management of eco tourism: tourists believe they are behaving sustainably, but they rarely verify management claims. Globally, Belize is perceived as a "best practice"
Belize manages its ecotourism through a combination of national policy and site-specific conservation plans. National Policy: Globally, Belize is perceived as a "best practice"