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TRAVEL & TOURISM |
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TRAVEL & TOURISM |
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| Monday, November 22, 2004 Online Edition 44 | |||
| Travel to Tela
By EMMA HAWA Traveling on the highway that runs from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba, be sure to stop off at the unspoiled sleepy beach town of Tela. Located just 100km west of the capital of the Atlantida area, this smaller, less commercial town is a must see. Because of its size, the locals opt for bicycles as their preferred mode of transport, enhancing the relaxed feel of the place. Originally named Triunfo de la Cruz, due to its founding date coinciding with the day of the Holy Cross in Catholicism, Tela has plenty to offer with natural white sandy beaches, tropical vegetation as well as Garífuna culture. It remains fairly secluded throughout most of the year offering a truly peaceful experience. Furthermore, since the Minister of Tourism Thierry de Pierrefew formed the Tourist Police, or ‘Balam’ meaning ‘Jaguar’, a force of 20 friendly officers ensure you can enjoy your stay in safety. The home base of the Tela Railroad Company from 1912 – 76, it still stands as a true banana town where juicy fruits are on offer at all hours of the day. On top of that, being a coastal town, Tela offers superb fresh seafood dishes; and if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, whilst resting on the beaches or seated in one of the seaside cafes, Garífuna women are certain to offer you some scrumptious pan de coco. The beautiful beaches
stretch for several kilometers on either side of the town reaching
Punta Sal, a natural marine park to the west, and Punta Izopo,
a wildlife refuge to the east. Scattered all along the coast are
several Garífuna villages where the Garífuna people
are sure to show visitors a good time, offering tasty Garífuna
food as well as music and some spectacular dancing. All of these landmarks surrounding the town form a part of the spectacular views offered by the Maya Vista Hotel. With first-rate rooms going for around US$40 – 45, this remote French-Canadian run establishment is well worth a visit. Its restaurant is open from 9a.m. – 9p.m. daily and serves a mouthwatering variety of foods all at reasonable prices. Moreover its location, a balcony just two floors below the soaring lookout point of the hotel, makes the dining experience all the more worthwhile. The staff offer extremely friendly and courteous service, with the barman making undoubtedly the best piña coladas in the whole country. Despite being a bit on the small side, they are extremely alcoholic, and simply delicious – just what you need to sip on whilst looking out over the shores of Tela!
Global Donor Community Makes Sustainable Tourism a New Priority By MEGAN EPLER WOOD PLANETA.COM (November 5, 2004) — The first World Tourism Organization Tourism Policy Forum was held at The George Washington University on October 19-20 in Washington, D.C. This forum convened a variety of experts in the field of sustainable tourism and featured a full day of presentations by leading representatives of the global donor community who presented their planned approaches toward sustainable tourism. USAID Natsios stressed that
“sustainable tourism does not simply happen. It requires
an overall strategy, detailed planning, with a host of supporting
mechanisms including public-private partnerships, appropriate
legislative and institutional reforms, training and public education,
infrastructure and technology, finance and credit systems that
reach down to the poor, and Natsios continued that “tourism must be based on real market demands, not simply the supply of possible products associated with threatened natural or cultural resources. Markets must be engaged from the beginning.” He also stressed the importance of establishing strong indicators to measure the effects of tourism activities. World Bank Adams stated that the “World Bank’s core business is poverty reduction; tourism is a valid contributor because it is an important source of employment, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.” “However,” he notes, “tourism reforms are still slow in coming, governments typically have not committed resources, accurate tourism statistics and indicators of growth are elusive. There is a lot to be done to improve government performance of tourism in developing countries.” According to Richard Scobey, of the Africa Division of the World Bank, the World Bank has learned several lessons from its large investment program in tourism development over the past 30 years. He noted that the World Bank is now responding to past weaknesses which included; undertaking investment without a comprehensive national tourism development program, not paying enough attention to public-private partnerships, and giving insufficient attention to the community development and poverty reduction benefits of sustainable tourism. In response, Scobey states that the World Bank is now “deepening its focus on strategy and analytics of sustainable tourism development.” Some examples include focusing on value chain analysis, tourism demand studies, and competitiveness studies. In addition, he noted that the World Bank is deepening its collaboration with other partners to support the development of partner networks to facilitate learning and knowledge sharing particularly private sector expertise. Inter-American Development
Bank FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Well what’s new in Copan these days you may ask. Well plenty..... Its mid November now and Copan’s annual low n slow season is drawing to a close - thank goodness.... as Thanksgiving approaches the high season begins to take shape as snow birds from the US, Canada and Europe seek warmer more temperate locations in which to spend their brief yet hard earned vacations. There are a slew of new and renovated hotels here in Copan ... the Hotel Acropolis is adding a second story, just up their street there is a new hotel going up, further up the street another hotel is adding a second floor and just opposite yet another new hotel is going up. In addition Hacienda San Lucas which is located at the Los Sapos archaeological site near La Pintada will commence construction in January, with new guest rooms, new kitchen and dining facilities and new facilities for day guests. San Lucas which now has just two guest rooms will be able to take and feed a lot more guests with the expansion, converting it into the premier country lodge type hotel in the Copan area. As well in the past few months a number of hotels have either renovated or started from scratch. Among the new hotels, Hotel Don Udo’s deserves special mention. The hotel owned by Dutch born Don Udo who is a restaurant in San Pedro Sula, took a $4 per night backpacker flop house and converted it into one of the nicest new hotels to open in Copan in many years. The place boasts comfortable, tastefully decorated rooms, restaurant and bar.. As well Hotel Popol Nah has just undergone a major renovation and the addition of a second story, all done up in a tasteful colonial inspired manner taking into account the typical architectural styles of Copan. The fact that most of these constructions do incorporate local architectural motifs in their design and construction is a positive sign which bodes well for maintaining the architectural integrity of the village. Homes and businesses that use adobe roof tiles, wood beams, pillars, wood doors, decorative iron work, etc, all serve to make the village a more attractive and inviting place for visitors. However all is not a rosy picture of architectural harmony. Many new businesses and homes have built from scratch and renovated, utilizing decidedly non appropriate techniques such us zinc or other man made type of roofing materials, exposed concrete block walls, inappropriate signage, metal and glass doors and roll down gates on entrances. All the above make Copan less attractive and are slowly, but surely eroding Copan’s historic downtown center. A special note on signage. A major problem in the past has been large, oversized illuminated signage that has been given free to businesses by the brewery and soft drink companies. These signs do nothing to enhance the colonial integrity of the town and are not suitable. There are literally dozens of examples in town of very appropriate signage, all locally crafted of wood, stone, iron, etc and it is these types of signs which should serve as reference for businesses in town. The problem is that many business owners continue to rely on free signage given away by corporate giants simply because they are free and because it has always been done that way. However, store by store, hotel by hotel, restaurant by restaurant the times they are a changing. A new philosophy is springing up ( albeit at a snails pace ) in town as businesses see what others have done in terms of appropriate signage and they too jump on the bandwagon, giving up ugly signs for more attractive ones. What’s needed more than anything is supervision from the Municipality regarding guidelines for business owners as to what type of signage is appropriate and what types are not, as many small business owners in this small, rural town simply don’t know what an appropriate sign should look and don’t see anything wrong with their football field sized Coca-Cola sign. In other news... the Maya Sculpture Museum is now closed and will reopen in a year due to renovations..... There is a new community internet center located in the old High School just in front of the Central Park ... the old fort just up the hill from the Hotel Marina continues to self destruct and within a few short months there wont be any fort left to save or renovate. The shiny new Hedman Alas bus terminals just about ready to open, the place sports a very lovely ( and wonderfully appropriate ) sign using the Hedman flying tire logo made of carved stone. |
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| Monday, November 8, 2004 Online Edition 43 | |||
| Bamboo: In the Place to Be!!!
By GLADYS ACOSTA Imagine a tropical paradise in the middle of Tegucigalpa that provides you with the best ambient, service, security, music and drinks ever…that is Bamboo! The name Bamboo comes from the way the bar is decorated inside and out. “The bamboo is a ductile, flexible and noble plant,” said Roberto Padilla, one of the owners. “It leads to something tropical and has multiple uses, such as feng shui and building purposes.” “With the bamboo being a fast growing plant,” expressed Roberto, “we want to project the bar as a fast growing business as well.” Bamboo wants to be portrayed as a dynamic, friendly bar with the best personalized attention, providing at the same time security, comfort and is located in a well known area. So far, so good guys!!! When asked what he thought about his competition, Roberto Padilla answered that Bamboo had no competition whatsoever. “We are the blender of the nightlife in Tegucigalpa,” he said. “Sooner or later, everyone comes to us at the end of the night.”
The personalized attention is one of a kind! Everyone in Bamboo is well trained to greet you with open arms and treat you like kings or queens, providing you with a special variety of drinks, shots and cocktails. If dancing is your deal, don’t hesitate in doing it here. Douglas, Bamboo’s Dj, is the best in town! His musical knowledge is wide and quite perfect for you to put on your dance shoes and keep you dancing until the sun comes out. The security system is adequate for this type of business. It all starts at the entrance of the bar. “The bouncer’s criteria about the people coming in is very important to us,” said Fernando Matamoros, manager of Bamboo. Once inside the bar, eight staff members are intercommunicated to solve problems happening in any of the codified areas.
“If
something happens that is out of our reach we have direct backup
from the National Police,” stated Matamoros. “A police
patrol is outside the building at certain times during the night.” About the staff members This integrated team work is like a big family. Before every opening night they have a meeting in which everyone’s opinion is taken into consideration. “The staff’s opinion is very important to us,” said Padilla, “they are the ones who maintain a direct relation with the clients.” Honduras This Week had the pleasure of interviewing some of the staff members and asked them what they liked the most about working in Bamboo. Most of them agreed in that the environment in which they worked in was the best and that they really liked it. Others said that the best of it all was meeting nice and sociable people. Being whatever it is, all of you are the best at what you do and at making one feel welcome! So thank you Oscar, Ariel, Gerardo, Abraham, Olban, Reny, Alex, Fredy, Hugo, Jessica, Fernando, Mario, Pacheco, Rony, Jaclin, Dubys, Indis, Agustín, Marcelo, Juan Miguel, Fernando M. and the rest of the staff for keeping your clients happy and making us want to go back each week. Roberto Padilla has definitely had several experiences while being the owner of the most successful disco/bar in Tegucigalpa; nonetheless, he expressed that every day is a whole new experience. “Each night has its singularity, its charm.” What he enjoys the most is watching his clients having a great time. Future plans
for Roberto Padilla, Roberto Prego, the other owner, and Bamboo
are creating a special lounge with pool and air hockey tables,
and other entertainments of this type. Another important project
is to sign a contract with a company that will provide them with
the most actualized music.
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Much ruckuss has been stirred up this election season regarding a number of hot button social issues. One of these being the right or not for gay couples to marry. Every US state which voted on the issue this November came out solidly on the side of denying homosexual couples the right to marry and in a strange turn of events, the Honduran Congress took up the issue, intending to declare gay marriages and unions illegal. The topic in Honduras is virtually taboo in Honduran society, which is why its even stranger that the issue even came up in front of the Congress in such a high profile manner at all. However in
the wonderful egalitarian world of the tourism sector, just like
any aspect of the private sector, gays are courted as valuable and
and sought after consumers. Given the taboo nature of the topic
in Honduras of course marketers cannot pitch products or services
to gays, but in the developed world, gays are considered valuable
clients to be shmoozed and wooed. Sandals Resorts, one of the most
popular all inclusive resort chains in the world, recently lifted
their two-decade policy of denying access to same-sex couples. According
to Out&About, a newsletter for gay travellers, the gay market
spends $54.1 billion annually in travel. It goes without saying
that gay travellers tend to go to spend vacations in gay friendly
countries; Brazil, England, Germany, Holland, USA, Sweden, etc,
all jump to mind as prime gay friendly destinations. Central Amercica
and Honduras in particular are too small and too conservative to
pitch services to the gay market at this time. But who knows, maybe
one day Honduras may have an ad in Out&About touting its ruins,
reef, rainforest and its relaxed, tolerant local folks who welcome
everyone, gay or straight with equal fervor and hospitality. |
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| Monday, November 1, 2004 Online Edition 42 | |||
| Cyber City: Growing in Technology By GLADYS ACOSTA Four years ago Cyber City opened its doors to Tegucigalpa airport’s visitors. In that time it has been able to develop a new concept in business, meshing two necessities that have never been available in Honduran Airports: communication and reading. Cyber City has expanded its horizons and services as well. In December last year, a new Cyber City was born in San Pedro Sula at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport, with an aim to satisfy the communication needs of that area of the country. In an interview in April this year Juan Fernando Portillo, owner of Ciber City, said that his future plans were to establish wireless Internet access - a system more comfortable and useful, particularly for business travelers. A few weeks ago his mission was accomplished when iSPOT was introduced into the market. This new, valuable, innovative system of wireless Internet offers people traveling with LAPTOPS and PDA’s a fast and easy access at a cost of $ 4.00/day. Says Portillo: “Today, technology allows people to make the most of the time they have, making it more productive. For example, travelers at the airport can use their waiting time to send e-mails, confirm dates, send pictures, check flights and weather, buy things on-line, etc. via the service of wireless Internet that we will be providing. There are so many things to be done with travelers’ valuable time,” he adds. “I-SPOT will be known in the two main airports of the country.” Juan Fernando’s vision of Cyber City is to be the leading business center in Honduras, known to travelers and visitors as a center with a new concept of service excellency and innovative, high quality products. “Our efforts are focused in the satisfaction of the travelers in the airports, developing products and services that satisfy the needs of our tourist and local travelers,” he said. “We believe strategic alliances with enterprises, especially the good relationships with our providers, are an important factor to achieve our vision” said Portillo, “Nonetheless, our most important resource is our personnel, in charge of the achievement of the company’s objectives. We train them and work and learn together the principles and values of our company.” Cyber City provides the Federal Express (FEDEX) service, a well known courier, offering package mailing around the world, tracking, and other information relevant to prestigious companies. As to the trust Juan Fernando Portillo has in the Honduran airports concessionary, he declared that the remodeling as well as the services and facilities will meet world standards. “Interaiports will comply with their objectives and we are glad we are able to contribute to this. Cyber City plays an important role because our concept is unique in Latin American airports,” he said. Honduras is advancing and growing with the technological changes of the century, and Cyber City is here to provide you travelers with this technology. So anytime you are visiting our airports remember Cyber City is there to help satisfy your needs.
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Sometime during the early
days of September a jade piece which was part of an exhibition in
the National Museum of The Republic in Tegucigalpa was stolen. As
of yet there are no suspects in the case, but according to press
reports, on July 31 there was a wedding held at the museum and now
the government wants to question attendees at the wedding to see
if anyone knows anything about the lost treasure. The Institute
of Anthropology and History blamed the loss on the lack of adequate
security due to a lack of funds. This is not the first time a piece
from Copan has been stolen while on exhibit. Years back a piece
was stolen during an exhibition in Mexico City. Townspeople in Copan
Ruinas are up in arms over the losses and feel that archeological
treasures have been removed from safe keeping and put on exhibition
without proper safeguards and procedures. The worst case in recent
years was the looting of an important Maya burial located in a tunnel
at the Copan site. The important tomb was looted in the middle of
the night revealing a clear lack of security. |
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The
beach of Tela 
Roberto
Prego, Roberto Padilla, owners of Bamboo, and a friend.
Oscar
and Ariel dazzle the ladies in Bamboo.
Reny,
the best dancing waiter in Bamboo. (According to the two clients
that love him the most!)
