While notably one of Central America’s most under the radar destinations, Honduras is making strides in its tourism sector. The country has enjoyed a steady increase in tourism arrivals over the past few years, having welcomed more than two million visitors in 2017.

The most recent achievements for the Honduras Institute of Tourism:

 

Connectivity

The International Airport of Juan Manuel Galvez in Roatan will soon undergo multiple upgrades including an extension of the runway and a new building for passengers. These upgrades will allow the airport to receive more planes, as well as better attend to passengers.

Another important milestone for Honduras was the addition of Air Europa offering weekly direct flights from Madrid, Spain, to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

 

Cruise

The cruise sector is an instrumental contributor to Honduras' tourism industry, as the country welcomed more than a million cruise passengers in 2017 representing a nearly 5 percent increase over 2016. Most recently, Roatan has welcomed new cruise ships including Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection, Viking Ocean's Viking Sky and TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff from Germany.

 

New Tourism Experiences

Honduras Tourism Board is now making an emphasis to showcase its exquisite Birdwatching experience. Honduras is one of the countries in Central America featuring the most protected land with 121 areas and is home to more than 770 species of birds. The varied ecosystems in Honduras allow visitors to see many species of birds including the Ocellated Quail, Keel-billed Motmot, Lovely Cotinga, Agami Heron and the Honduran Emerald Hummingbird.

The Touristic Coffee Route, which allows visitors to visit coffee farms and have a complete tour of the process from seed to cup, is another experience being further developed.

 

Accolades

Some of Honduras' attractions have also been recognized among the best by top media outlets. Mary's Place, located in Roatan, was recently listed among USA Today 10Best Reader' Choice 2018 as one of the Caribbean's best dive sites. Mary's Place provides a habitat for marine critters including coral, sponge and seahorses.

Additionally, the Island of Utila, located in Honduras’ northern coast along the second largest barrier reef in the world, was listed the No. 1 Best Caribbean Dive Site by USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2017.

For more information, visit honduras.travel