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Monday, October 29, 2001 Online Edition 43

Demand drops, but airfare prices remain the same

Thousands of feet in the air, Ana Abarca, Minister of Tourism, relaxes in her seat, and demonstrates that there is nothing to fear about flying to Honduras.

As a consequence of the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States of America, the demand for airplane tickets has dropped considerably in the past month. Large companies like American Airlines and Continental have had to cut their staffs by the thousands and have requested financial aid from the U.S. Federal Government. In an attempt to increase their dropping passenger lists, air carriers have begun to offer extremely low fares on their tickets.
Meanwhile, in Honduras, ticket prices remain at the same high rate. The stated reason behind these high prices are the expenses the airlines incur in the nation’s airports.

According to the daily La Tribuna, the services that the air carriers require from the airports are more expensive in Honduras than anywhere else in the Central American and Caribbean region. One example of such escalated costs is that every time an airplane lands in a Honduran airport, it has to pay a US$450 fee. This is over four times as expensive as neighboring Guatemala’s US$100 fee. Jet fuel is also the most expensive around, and the prices continue to get jacked up. That and taxes are what make airfare so expensive.

This week, representatives of the Honduran Airline Association met with Minister of Finance Gabriela Nunez to discuss the air travel dilemma. Armando Funez, president of the airline group, argues that airlines will definitely go “in the red” if some agreement cannot be reached. Funez said that currently jet fueling costs in Honduras amount to some 60% of the airlines expenditures. The other 40% goes to pay taxes and landing fees. With the at least 20% decrease in air travel to and from Honduras following the September 11 attacks, the airline companies cannot afford to continue operations in the country as they have in the recent past.

In response, Gabriela Nunez said that the government would consider aiding the airlines if they, in turn, responded to criticisms of the flight industry. The response expected would be improved services, set schedules, and the lowering of airfares. Other demands included in the Minister of Finance’s proposal are the creation of “travel packages” that would greatly reduce the cost of groups flying to Honduras. If this can be achieved, the government made a commitment to revise some taxes, including those on jet fuel.

The air fare conundrum continues in the tropics, but air travel, though light, still continues over Honduran skies. With a tentative agreement reached, it seems that local and foreign airlines might survive the economic crisis that the world has suffered at the hands of terrorism.

According to the President of the Honduran Chamber of Tourism, Honduras can expect to take in some $300 million in tourism revenues this year, which is similar to the amount taken in last year. I guess this can be taken as good news given what has taken place during the final quarter of 2001. Although Honduran tourism has not gained much, at least we have not lost ground either. Once US and European tourists begin to travel as before, Honduras can look forward to a good 2002.

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When you plan for that next Central American getaway vacation, what comes to mind.....? Sipping rum punch on a white sand beach? Perhaps an ice cold bottle of Honduran brewed pilsner beer? Or maybe a shot of fiery aguardiente washed down by a tart glass of freshly squeezed lemonade? Well to tell you the truth, all of the above sound good to me...One bit of advice however...if drinking is part of your plans for your next Honduran fun in the sun vacation, then I’d recommend you to steer clear of the rural municipality of San Lorenzo, which is located in the Department of Valle in southern Honduras.....the 18 communities that comprise the municipality voted recently to close all bars as well as stores that sell alcohol.

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Got a back ache...muscle ache...a sports injury...well fear not.....the newly opened Professional Physical Therapy Clinic has opened it’s doors in Tegucigalpa. The clinic is run by Ivonne van Leest who is a Dutch trained Physical Therapist with over 20 years of experience in the field. Her clinic offers up all of the modern bells and whistles as well as the basics...Therapeutic Ultrasound, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Laser Therapy, Classic Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Lymphatic Massage.

In order to provide the best and latest care Miss van Leest is currently obtaining graduate training in Holland. According to Ivonne, “I started last June also my post-graduate course in Holland to obtain my official title ‘Sports Physical Therapist’. I will go another two times next year to complete the course, in January and in June. So I’m already working a lot with professional Honduran athletes, mainly soccer players from the Olimpia and Universidad teams, but I’ll try to specialize bit by bit more in that direction. I’ll be the only physical therapist in the country with that degree then.”

For more information contact: Clinica de Fisoterapia Professional, Colonia Ruben Dario, Calle Arturo Lopez Rodezno, #2248, Tegucigalpa. Tel/Fax 232-3078, Cellular Tel 990-5002, ivleest@multivisionhn.net

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“Sombreros off” to Liz Valladares and company for their great job in whitewashing the wall around the soccer field at the entrance to the village of Copan Ruinas. The newly formed grassroots Copan International Community or CIC took on the painting job as it’s first community improvement project. The group is comprised of community members of Copan Ruinas from a number of different walks of life and backgrounds. The purpose of the group is to give something back to the community and in the process make Copan Ruinas a better place for residents and tourists alike. Stay tuned for news of upcoming projects in town. For more information on CIC contact casadecafe@mayanet.hn

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What’s new in Copan Ruinas these days you ask....well there’s a bunch....a brand spanking new Convention and Events Center, a new pool/disco/restaurant complex, a couple of new licuado shops (licuados are milkshakes made with fresh fruit and other “add ins”), a couple of new “fried chicken snack shacks”, and a new restaurant specializing in Mexican style tacos and rotisserie chicken. And soon to open...a new classy bar just off the Central Park, a new disco, and the new Childrens’ Museum Exhibit. So there’s plenty of big fun and warm western Honduran hospitality to be had in the small mountain village of Copan Ruinas this winter....and don’t forget, wherever your travels take ya’ .....tell ‘em Copan Update sent ya’...... 

Howard Rosenzweig, a U.S. expatriate living in the village of Copan Ruinas, is the owner of the Casa de Cafe Bed and Breakfast. He can be contacted at e-mail <casadecafe@mayanet.hn>.

First national travel show to be held in Honduras

By Sandra Sampayo

Everyone interested in tourism and travel, from owners of major travel agencies to those who are planning their next family vacation, will be able to visit Honduras’ very first national travel fair at the end of this month.

Expo Vacaciones, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Tourism and the National Chamber of Tourism, will be held in the Arab Club in San Pedro Sula between October 31 and November 1, and is expected to draw a large number of people from both Honduras and from other Central American countries.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the show will have something for everyone. Sixty-one stands will display travel products such as resorts, hotels, airlines, tour operations, and other related tourism businesses. There will also be interesting talks on the latest tourism initiatives, presentations by local businesses, and even a few prizes to be won. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has ensured that over 40 travel agents and operators from Central America will attend the show with the intent of conducting business with the exhibiting companies.

“We are obviously very excited about Expo Vacaciones, as it is the perfect vehicle to showcase the many tourism destinations and attractions Honduras has to offer. We have had a tremendous response from travel companies throughout Honduras and Central America so it is bound to be a very exciting show,” says Rubens Barahona of Expo Vacaciones.

Members of the public are welcome to attend on both days and will not be charged an entrance fee.

For more information or to book your stand, please visit the official website at www.expovacaciones.hn, call 221-5170 or e-mail the writer at <sandra@roatanmail.com>.

Sandra Sampayo runs a tourism marketing company to promote the Bay Islands of Honduras and can be contacted via e-mail at <sandra@roatanmail.com>

"All you can eat and drink" lands on Honduran shores...All inclusive fever continues to spread across Honduras these days...call it the Barcelo Syndrome. For those who may be ' out of the loop, Barcelo Resorts of Spain, which currently operates the "nearby" Montelimar Beach resort on Nicaraguas' Pacific Coast is set to open at the start of next year Honduras' first all inclusive beach resort just outside of La Ceiba. 

As of late many small, locally owned beach resorts have come up with their own versions of "all inclusive packages". Caribbean Sands, outside of La Ceiba, Hotel Playa on Playa Cieneguita outside of Puerto Cortes, The Bayman Bay Club on Guanaja and Anthony's Key on Roatan together make up the vanguard of this pay one price phenomenon. 

The all inclusive niche should really start to heat up when the Barcelo Resort cranks up since they bring a wealth of marketing, promotion and management experience into the market - as well as offering up a competitive price and a wealth of amenities/bells and whistles that other smaller resorts will be hard pressed to match.

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Lookin' for food on that next San Pedro shopping excursion...Heading to San Pedro Sula for a bit of "shop till ya' drop?" Looking for a good place to get a meal downtown...well fear not...there are two excellent choices where one can belly up to a classy, all you can munch buffet lunch. The Granada Restaurant at the Grand Hotel Sula offers up a daily buffet lunch for the downright easy on the wallet price of Lps 110. A few blocks away the new Holiday Inn Center's Rio de Piedras restaurant delivers a similar midday buffet extravaganza that will set you back Lps 120 plus tax.

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Help to Honduras is on the way thanks to Paramedics For Children...Hats off to Roger "The Paramedic" Harrison and his always faithful and always beautiful assistant, Pam "The Paramedic" Cox for successfully braving the highways and byways of the US, Mexico and Guatemala to deliver yet another ambulance (fully loaded with medical supplies) to Honduras. Due to the efforts of Paramedics For Children, the small mountain village of Copan Ruinas has the finest, best equipped and best trained volunteer ambulance corps in the country. Paramedics For Children is a Copan Ruins based group which is dedicated to setting up volunteer ambulance corps with locally trained paramedics in various parts of Honduras. For info: rodger@paramedicsforchildren.com

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Looking for a decent room at a decent price...check out this "handy dandy" average hotel price guide. Ever wonder what an "average" hotel rooms costs in the US these days? Well wonder no longer my friend. Here's the data which comes from Smith
Travel Research, which follows the travel industry. Average hotel rates in July 2001 for various types of hotels: luxury $136, upscale $97, midprice $71, economy $56, budget $44. How do we fit in here in Honduras? Well a quick look-see at Copan Ruinas - the nations' number one tourism destination - gives us an idea. Average hotel rates for Copan Ruinas, July 2001, for various types of hotels (categories are my own): backpacker /basic $6, backpacker/standard $9, backpacker/luxury $16, midprice $23, upscale $38, luxury $81.

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New resort slated for Bay Islands...According to press reports a group of Spanish investors are planing to construct a resort on Roatan. No word yet on the three w's; where, when or who...but as soon as something concrete is announced I'll let you know.

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Wanted! Your picks for the best of Honduras...Have you travelled in Honduras and come across that special restaurant, bar, hotel, resort, etc and want to tell the rest of the world...well now you've got your chance...The new edition 2002 of The Honduras & Bay Islands Guide will be published shortly. If you have a favorite resort, hotel, lodge, bed & breakfast, restaurant, bar, cafe, bakery, tour operator, disco, etc. please send your
"best of" list to: Honduras Guide at casadecafe@mayanet.hn

Howard Rosenzweig, a U.S. expatriate living in the village of Copan Ruinas, is the owner of the Casa de Cafe Bed and Breakfast. He can be contacted at e-mail <casadecafe@mayanet.hn>.

Naciones Unidas Park:
A classic, ecotouristic escape on top of Tegucigalpa

The grand statue of Jesus stands on Mount Picacho, overlooking Tegucigalpa

By SUYAPA CARIAS

Tegucigalpa natives have an old saying about foreign visitors: If they come to the city and don't go to the Naciones Unidas park, it is almost as if they hadn't really been here. It is just a you-must-go place.

Built back in the 40's, the park represents an obligatory, impressive destination for visitors from abroad, and a classic recreational alternative for local families, young lovers, curious students, senior citizens and nature fans.

Located on top of the El Picacho hill, five kilometers north of the capital's downtown, it covers a vast area classified as a transition zone from dry forest to subtropical humid forest. It is mainly dominated by pine trees (the national Honduran tree), that are accompanied with beautiful oak trees, eucalyptus, guanacastes, palms and other native and exotic species.

Approximately 44 species of birds, both resident and migratory, have been observed at the park, as well as a variety of small mammals like wildcats, guazalos, rabbits, squirrels and snakes.

RESURRECTED CHRIST
The hill's altitude, 1,300 meters above sea level, provides the park with fresh, delicious weather throughout the day. In summer time however, the heat still catches you, especially at noon. That is a small price to pay to see the beauty of the sun setting over the historic Tegucigalpa, forming an impressive, unique landscape worth photographing. 
From the distance, it is easy to distinguish the park, thanks to the presence of an imposing, white sculpture of Christ that stands on one of the hill's highest peaks. The "Resurrected Christ" as the work is called, looks upon the city with his arms down and his hands open, in a protective, welcoming attitude.

The catholic badge was finished in early 1998 with funds donated by different sectors of the Honduran society. With a height equivalent of a ten-floor building, the structure weighs 2,200 tones and it is surrounded by scenic overlooks.

MULTI CULTURAL MONUMENT
But the Christ is not the only monument that attracts visitors to the Naciones Unidas park. A few meters behind it lies a special plaza that transports one to the native Asian lands of the universal known philosopher Confusious. 

The small, yet meaningful and colorful plaza is formed of several "stations", each representing a different reflection configurated by this wise man. "The Cascade", "The Meditation Area" and the "Labyrinth of Patience" are amongst them. 
And if the eastern influence has found its very own and concrete place in the park, so has the Mayan civilization. The symbols of Mayan culture are represented by the large, pink-stoned Skulls Stairways, and a series of animal-shaped replicas.
Accross a flat extension of land, you will find the botanical garden, which constitutes a small, charming park within the park, perfect for a romantic date, a relaxing walk among the most dazzling flowers or a private lecture with nothing but the singing of the birds whispering around you. 
Managed by the city's Mayor office, the garden hosts several fountains and the bust of a character who is not identified by name. Here, there is also an elegant, stone house and, right behind it, a green house that has been established for anyone who wants to go home with a new plant. 

NEW FACILITIES 
In the last years, the Foundation of National Parks, presided over by First Lady Mary Flake de Flores, has undertaken the admirable job of improving the conditions of the Naciones Unidas park, from maintenance to logistics and security.

Children and youngsters can enjoy facilities especially designed for them, including the Ciudad de los niños, a new complex with small-cars, a skating track and sport courts. There is a cafeteria with snacks and popular food, and a picnic area.
One of the most recent projects finished by the foundation is the Center of Environmental Education (CEA). It was built with the purpose of holding special presentations and training events in the areas of ecology and sustainable development. It is now available for private and social activities as well, with catering service included. 

In addition to hosting a gallery of posters with graphic and written information about the country's protected areas, the center is home to an interesting collection of butterflies and other insects native to Honduras.

Monkey time
Several meters before the park's entrance, you will pass by the Metropolitan Zoo. Recently spruced up by the government, it is home to nearly 300 members of about 50 different species of animals. 
A jaguar, a family of coyotes, a group of colored macaws, a lazy crocodile and a large population of curious white-faced monkeys, amongst others, await visitors. A collection of taxidermically preserved animals is permanently exhibited at the zoo's educational center. It is not a state-of-the-art zoo, but it is the only official one in Honduras. 

The ride to the Naciones Unidas park is one you must take next time you're in Tegucigalpa. When you come down again, you will feel regenerated. More information at 211-9126/27. 

Well the good news is out. Air travel is up and running and on line once again. After a couple of weeks of tough times, long lines, extensive security checks and lots of worry and fretting, air travel, I am happy to report, is back on track. 

On September 30 I flew from Phoenix via Houston to San Pedro Sula, and it went off splendidly and without a hitch. In Phoenix, the check in was swift and the lines short. Check on baggage was received and weighed and tossed on the conveyor belt - bags were not searched nor opened. Ticketing and boarding passes were issued quickly and efficiently. A few steps away was the security checkpoint, where I passed through the metal detector door and where my carry on bag was x-rayed. Carry on bags were not opened nor searched. Although there were extra security personnel as well as a US Marshall, a Border Patrol Officer or two and a Phoenix Police Officer, travellers moved quickly and efficiently through the checkpoint. Once through the checkpoint that was it and it was just a matter of waiting around till the flight boarded - no additional hassles, security checks. 

Although a call to Continental prior to going to the airport alerted me that it was recommended that I be at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours prior to an international flight, it turned out to be totally unnecessary to arrive so early. After arriving in Houston, picking up our bags was as straightforward as usual. We headed to the local Sleep Inn to spend the night, as the San Pedro flight leaves at 9:30 am.

Arriving at Bush Intercontinental Airport bright and early the next morning we hit the ticket counter running, expecting a bit more in the way of delays and security hassle, as our flight was international. However, we were pleasantly surprised that our pleasant experience in Phoenix repeated itself. Houston's check in was quick, check on bags were not opened, ticketing was a snap, the security and x-ray checkpoint was efficient and rapid. What a difference from just two weeks earlier when lines stretched for hours.

Upon arriving in San Pedro Sula, immigration was quick and courteous, baggage was deplaned rapidly and then it was onto the the customs check, where arriving passengers are required to open up their luggage for a cursory "inspection" by Honduran officials.

Unfortunately we cued up right behind a plump Honduran woman bearing a US passport who, from the looks of her stacks of enormous, overly stuffed luggage, must have taken out a low interest bank loan and cleaned out the local Wal Mart of children and young adults clothing. We had to stand by twitting our thumbs whilst the inspector opened every piece of luggage. The good news in all of this is that this "minor delay" at the San Pedro airport was the only real hassle we experienced during the whole trip - pretty good if you consider what things were like just a few short weeks prior.

The moral of this whole story is that it's ok to fly again, although air travel has experienced a terrible blow in confidence from the tragic terrorist attacks of early Sept.

The good news is that security has been beefed up, yet at the same time air travel is just as efficient and convenient as ever. For those who were planning or are considering a trip to Honduras this fall or winter, my sincere advice to you is to go on with the plan. In my mind giving up vacation travel is to give in to the dark forces that launched the cowardly terror attacks. Their goal was to disrupt to the maximum our daily lives; thus our best course of action as President Bush stated is "to get on with our lives." In this way we best honor the men and women who tragically died and wrest victory from the terrorists. A yearly Caribbean vacation may be the perfect way to relax and unwind this winter, and as an added bonus in this most untypical of years, it may just be our best revenge; to show the forces of evil that we will not be defeated, that life goes on, and the forces of good can conquer.

Catching a flight from San Pedro Sula to Houston two weeks back, just a day after flights resumed following the ban, was quite an experience. The line for the midday flight on Continental started forming by 7 a.m. By 8 a.m. the line stretched practically out the door. Once the line began to move, however, the pace picked up and it began to dwindle rapidly.

There were a number of security checkpoints to negotiate. First, carry-on bags were opened and inspected. Second, passengers passed through a metal detector and had a detector wand passed over their body, and finally carry-on bags were X-rayed and checked by hand. All in all, everything went smoothly and professionally. Continental staff were courteous and professional throughout and the passengers who had to wait in lines that were a bit longer than normal took it all in stride and in good humor, given the gravity of the previous week's events in the United States. Arriving in Houston for my connecting flight to Phoenix, things couldn't have been more smooth -- no lines, quick and efficient security checks --- it was all too good to be true.

For those readers out there who have planned a trip to Honduras or are considering a trip this winter, I can say without a doubt that things aren't as bad as they are painted in the press. Air travel is basically back to normal and as quick and efficient as ever. One note: As I travelled right after the travel ban was lifted, I arrived at San Pedro airport extra early. By this time, however, I am sure that it is not quite as necessary to get there so early. 

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Talk about value for your travel buck! Panama, in conjunction with Delta Airlines, ran an ad in the Sept, 23 New York Times Travel Section offering a bevy of great deals to Panama. For example, a 6-day fully hosted trip that includes daily breakfasts, hotel, transfers, sightseeing and airfare runs from US$499-$699 per person. A great deal, anyway you cut it. The diminutive island of Tobago also ran an ad touting a $819 package that includes airfare, 7 nights in a beachfront hotel, transfers, taxes and gratuities. Not bad. Now compare these packages to a round-trip airfare to Honduras. Go ahead, call Continental, American or TACA and see what they charge ya' for a NYC-San Pedro Sula or Houston-San Pedro Sula flight. You may be surprised (and dismayed) by what you find out! 

In order for Honduras to take full advantage of its tourism potential, we need to get fares down as soon as possible. Low airfares, combined with attractive all-inclusive packages, are the key ingredient to getting more tourists to consider a Honduran vacation this year. As long as a round-trip tickets from NYC to San Pedro Sula costs the same as an all inclusive week in a tranquil Caribbean island, then we will never get our budding tourism business off the ground.

Hopefully, the next president of Honduras will do everything within his power to get to the bottom of this and address the broad range of issues, such as landing fees, parking fees and fuel prices for airlines that make Honduras an expensive place in which to do business for them. If not, we are doomed to four more years of exorbitantly high air fares and losing a valuable market share in terms of lost potential tourist business to our more aggressive and dynamic Caribbean and Central American neighbors. Howard Rosenzweig, a U.S. expatriate living in the village of Copan Ruinas, is the owner of the Casa de Cafe Bed and Breakfast. He can be contacted at e-mail <casadecafe@mayanet.hn>.