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The News From Honduras
June 29, 2008
I've just arrived in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and will spend the next 4 days traveling the north coast and bay islands of this country.
While I haven't been here long enough to get much of an impression, I have already had a chat with Real InterContinental General Manager Jesus Gonzalez, who tells me that business is very good right now.The 149-room property will end June at 98% occupancy for the month, he says, noting that the closing of the Tegucigalpa (the Honduran capital) airport is sending a lot of people to San Pedro Sula (the airport is closed following a late-May crash of a Miami-bound flight).
The hotel's average rate is US$139, up from US$112 last year, and junior suites fetch a rate of US$300. More than half of the property's rooms are sold to American business executives.
The other news is that the hotel, owned by Real Hotels & Resorts, will soon begin a 10-month renovation project, encompassing all guestrooms and a complete re-do of the lobby bar.
Stay tuned throughout this week for additional news bites and updates about the hotel investment & development climate here in Honduras.
Posted by Derek Gale on June 29, 2008 | Comments (9)
In response to: The News From Honduras
Hector M. commented:
Dale Greetings! I'm a native living abroad and in the hospitality industry. As a suggestion when you visit Roatan, consider visiting the Niki Beach development (a.k.a. Blue Ocean Reef). It is still in the development stages, however, there is some substantial progress being made. It is scheduled to open in 2010. There is also a secondary project called Mystic Harbour which is to include a Westin Hotel. However, according to sources the project has switched ownership and is on standby. There is third development located in Tela, called Los Micos Beach Resort. It is the most ambitious master-development project for Honduras in the development process. It anticipates to include four branded upscale to upper-upscale hotels, branded residential component, a golf course as well as other related amenities. Wish you safe journeys.
In response to: The News From Honduras
Derek Gale commented:
Hector, thanks for the response. I'm now on Roatan (arrived this morning on a short flight from La Ceiba), and will be visiting the Nikki Beach development this evening. And yes, I've heard much about Mystic Harbor as well... Yesterday my group visited the Los Micos development site in Tela--no doubt there are some grand plans for that project. I will try to write another blog post tonight updating everyone on what I've learned so far...
In response to: The News From Honduras
HECTOR MEDINA commented:
Glad to hear your visit was productive. I hope you were able to get the information you were seeking. If needed there is an non-for profit agency called FIDE. This agency promotes foreign invesment in Honduras and recently they started promoting the Hospitality/Tourism sector. About a year ago they were promoting Honduras and had one of their invesment officers, Liliana Sanchez, tour certain US cities as well as certain firms and hotel brands. As part of their tour they stopped at our Dallas office. You may want to contact her as she could be a great source of information. Her email is lsanchez@fidehonduras.com.
In response to: The News From Honduras
Derek Gale commented:
Hector, thanks again. FIDE is actually the agency that hosted my trip! So I met Vilma Sierra de Fonseca, FIDE's executive president, on this trip, and re-united with Antonio Young Torres, FIDE's executive vice president, whom I'd met previously at ALIS in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more blog posts about my trip--
In response to: The News From Honduras
HECTOR MEDINA commented:
Will you be writing a story or article specifically about Honduras?
In response to: The News From Honduras
Derek Gale commented:
I have a special report on Latin America coming up in the September issue. I will certainly cover Honduras in this article, and I may supplement that coverage with a Web-exclusive article--so stay tuned...
In response to: The News From Honduras
HECTOR MEDINA commented:
I'll be looking forward to reading it. Best of luck.
In response to: The News From Honduras
Dan commented:
Do you have US contact information for FIDE? I am having a hard time contacting them.
In response to: The News From Honduras
Derek Gale commented:
You can reach FIDE through Kristine Heine (kheine@globalcommunicators.com) at Global Communicators LLC in Washington (the organization's PR firm).