Brand Flags To Fly In Honduras

central america development conference and seminar on real estate land use by the coastal regions. Afternoon session with attorney stephen sears.

Derek, Unfortunately I have not had any success trying to get in touch with Thierry de Pierrefeu Midence would you happen to have any contact information for him or could you possibly provide me with more information on the Raffles development in Guanaja. Thanks you can also email me at randykbrf at a o l dot com

Actually, Marriott has been in Tegucigalpa for a while, but that's the only property in the country. IHG, which is prominent in San Pedro Sula, is opening a new Holiday Inn there, and another in Tegucigalpa. San Pedro Sula has 500 new rooms coming online this year, and Roatan is growing at a similar pace. So there is opportunity, although US air carriers cutting routes is bad for business. As for the country's readiness for a 5-star resort, again, I would recommened talking to Thierry de Pierrefeu Midence, mentioned in my comment above, who is a former Honduran tourism minister and is involved with the Raffles development on Guanaja. Another good contact is Daniel O'Connor with Pluribus, based in Tegucigalpa. He's involved with the Nikki Beach project. They can probably speak to demand better than I can as an outsider who's visited the country only once.

Hi Derek, A few questions for you if you don't mind: What's your opinion regarding other brands that might make sense in Honduras? Marriott isn't there yet, for example. Is Honduras/Roatan ready for a 5-star resort? Also, I understand Westin is (unofficially) planning three Westins in Honduras: Roatan (Mystic Harbor), San Pedro Sula, and the largest at Tela (Los Micos) which is also being developed alongside a large Conrad resort. Can the market support this??? Particularly the 3 Westins, which are all within an hour or so of each other.

Yes, I have quite a bit of information on the Raffles development, but perhaps better that you contact the source for that information directly--his name is Thierry de Pierrefeu Midence and his company, Grupo Midence Soto-Pierrefeu is based in Tegucigalpa.

Derek, Thanks for all of the excellent information you have provided on development in the bay islands. Do you have any further information about the Raffles development on the island of Guanaja? Any additional information is greatly appreciated. Thanks

The Westin that will be part of the Mystic Resort project by Grupo Karims is scheduled to open in October of 2009; the one that will be part of Los Micos is scheduled for a late 2010 or early 2011 opening. The Nikki Beach project is aiming for fall 2010.

When will these properties open??