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Follow up to Roatan Zoning Changes

Beautiful view of Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands

By DON PEARLY

Following is a direct transcript of a bulletin issued by Mr. John Edwards of Roatan.

"The group ( see last weeks article called "Locked and Loaded in Roatan" ) met with the minister of tourism, and in addition to the delegates from SPS, Mr. Ricardo Martinez, President of the National Chamber of Tourism attended the meeting.

They discussed the points that they felt were damaging to the economy and presented arguments covering both the legal and logical ramifications of the proposal. The Minister of Tourism promised to relay the arguments to the other ministries involved (SERNA & Environmental Fiscal ) and seemed to be very receptive and open to helping us. If there is a problem with what we suggested, there would be further discussions. We are very optimistic that the outcome will be favorable, if not; we will enlist the help of the entire business community as well as the public sector on the island until we receive the outcome we are asking for. We expect to hear something the first part of next week. ( This week )

And so it seems the "LOCOMOTIVE" has been slowed down so as to allow everyone concerned an opportunity to participate in its creation.

Come September of every year, Copan curls up from its summer high season and retreats to its accustomed state of laid back, chilled out, relaxation where the number of tourists dwindle to a trickle as the town gears up for the coming winter season influx of tourists.

This week some tips on how to smooth those bumps out of the annual low n' slow season here in Copan Ruinas.

First off Copan Ruinas needs to be marketed as a comprehensive, full service destination where guests can spend a tranquil weekend or just as easily come for a few weeks of R&R. New niche products in town such as the Orchid Garden, Macaw Mtn Tropical Bird Park, Finca El Cisne nature and coffee tours all insure that visitors will come away with a high quality value added experience and as well serve to increase the average guest stay in town.
For the greatest impact marketing should be done jointly, taking advantage of economies of scale and the old adage that there is strength in numbers. Copan Ruinas has lots of hotels, restaurants, tour companies, nature attractions and souvenir shops that if they collaborated together could churn out a very potent and cost effective marketing and promotion machine on an ongoing basis.

The tourism private sector in Copan should be able to offer up deep dish promotions, packages, specials, free amenities, etc, during slow months in order to stimulate demand amongst off season tourists. Hotels can offer up a free bottle of in room champagne or maybe discounted admissions to quality attractions such as the Orchid Garden or Macaw Mountain. Discounts at hotels and restaurants and other promotional rates are also a good way to draw increased visitor traffic.

Annual events are a great way to draw increased tourist traffic during slow months. The annual Project Honduras Conference held each Oct for example will draw some 400 participants this year for a four day stay during a historically very slow time of the year. The key here is that events need to be annual with fixed dates each year so that guide books for example can list the events with the confidence that the event will take place as stated, year after year on a given date. Getting listed in guide books is a sure fire, high value, high response, no cost way to market and reach potential guests since the vast majority of guide book readers will in fact actually make the trip to Copan in the near future.

The opening of new attractions and products will insure that tourism visits increase and average length of stay in Copan will increase as well. And to sell, all these new and existing products a catchy web site, a cool marketing slogan and great tag line will all serve to provide incentives to visitors to investigate further when making trip plans.

No less important and always worth mentioning is the importance of generating good W.O.M. ( Word of Mouth ). The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words could be probably updated today to read; A good website is worth a thousand words, however nothing can replace good Word of Mouth, especially for a small, niche destination like Copan Ruinas. Copan visitors are a special breed who take pride in recommending the place to friends and colleagues.

Another important consideration in attracting more visitors to Copan is to constantly strive to improve the village and the nearby archeological site. A higher quality experience will lead to a longer and more frequent stays.

As well don't ignore our larger and more economically powerful neighbors to the west and north. By this I refer to Guatemala and El Salvador who together are major generators of what has been termed, Central American Regional Tourism. Salvadorans and Guatemalans together have a growing middle class who are hell bent on finding nearby, un-crowded options for long weekends of travel and Honduras and Copan Ruinas in particular fits the bill nicely. Copan which is located a scant 7 miles from the Guatemalan border is now accessible via a brand spanking new paved two lane road and the popularity of SUV's in the region means that the entire extended family can pile into the Montero for a 3 day weekend trip.

Good News for Roatan

By DON PEARLY

In an interview with Mr. Larry Schlesser of Roatan Real Estate we learned the following. Wyndham International Resort Condominiums are soon to be built on Roatan. Prominent Roatan resident and past Governor of the Bay Islands, Albert Jackson, officially announced the construction of the new "VIVA Wyndham Roatan" all inclusive resort, when he met with both many of the island real estate brokers and Wyndham International personal, Chuck Lietz and Dick Senechal and developer Rick Mortell, of Destin Florida. This resort is planned for the eastern end of Roatan just east of the Camp Bay.

The meeting was held at the Roatan Yacht Club in French Harbor and conducted by Larry Schlesser, the Broker/Owner of Roatan Real Estate company, Coxen's Hole, Roatan, which represents the sales of the vacation condominium complex units. The presentation included both the site plans and time lines for this first internationally recognized name resort on the island of which Mr. Jackson will be part owner.

The resort will include 250 individually owned condominiums that are leased back via the initial purchase contract for usage as a resort, managed by Wyndham International to operate as a Caribbean Resort destination. The resort to purchasers will provide both a vacation destination for the owners and an investment vehicle providing rental revenues. There currently are six "VIVA Wyndham Resorts" in Central America and the Caribbean. VIVA Wyndham Roatan the first "flag ship" location by a major hotelier in the Bay Islands.

"VIVA Wyndham Roatan" will be the largest, most complete and extensive Resort >in this country and will be one of the finest in Central America and much of the Caribbean. This resort will have restaurants a night club, shops , swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, an outdoor amphitheater, a 6500 sf meeting/convention center, along with a spa and possibly a small casino in the second phase.

The area of the island that the resort will be built not only has some of the best sports fishing in the Caribbean, but also, just a short distance from the shore, virgin coral reef, offering a new and exciting island locations to divers who have been coming here for years. In addition to the diving/snorkeling opportunities, it is the perfect location to generate eco tours of both the extensive botanical representation of the area which and tours of the mangroves which are on that end of the island. VIVA Wyndham will be located just west of this project bordering part of National land nature reserves, (National Park Area), between the Resort site and the small island of St. Helene.

Chuck Lietz of Wyndham International said, "Roatan will be one of the finest locations Wyndham International manages. Typically a Caribbean, Central American or Mexican resort location has about 250-300 feet of beach front. This location provides one thousand feet of beautiful sand beach . The property in itself will also provide a location that will compliment the resort in that every condominium on the complex will provide outstanding views of the reef, aqua waters and the islands that neighbor Roatan to the northeast.

The large 30 acre location allows for a low density complex providing a spacious un-crowded resort atmosphere. The resort will be very eco/environmentally friendly with botanical walkways, garnishing tropical flowers and plants. The approximately 65% green space plan will provide a roomy, topical feel and enjoyable experience.
Mr. Jackson also announced through Larry Schlesser of Roatan Real Estate, the formation of his new company, Sunrise Investments Limited, S.A. that will offer stock investment opportunity in the 430 acre parcel that neighbors the new VIVA WYNDHAM Roatan location that will proceed with the initial stages of a golf course community including premier home sites, condominiums, marina slips and retail areas.

For more detailed information visit http://www.roatan-realestate.com

Mesoamerica Ecotourism Alliance (MEA)
A Nature Lover`s Traveling Alternative

By ROBERT GALLARDO

The Mesoamerica Ecotourism Alliance (MEA) is an NGO (non-gov`t organization) which stemmed out of RARE Center for Tropical Conservation. RARE`s mission is to "protect wildlands of globally significant biological diversity by empowering local people to benefit from this preservation". MEA`s goal is quite complimentary in which it builds local capacity through the development and promotion of ecotourism as a means for supporting conservation efforts in Mesoamerica, linking these resources to regional and international markets, and monitoring and mitigating impacts of visitation".

MEA works in five areas: southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, with one partner in the U.S. MEA is composed of a consortium of members including NGO`s working with protected areas, communities working in ecotourism and a select number of private tour operators and guides who work in conservation and ecotourism. There is a board of directors comprised of members from each of the five countries and all members share in the decision making process.
MEA also funds conservation and community development programs within the biological reserves. For example, it has done an impact monitoring and mitigation workshop in Belize, on-site trail design and construction in El Salvador, guide training in Yucatan, and is developing long-term funding mechanisms to build local capacity in all member sites.

MEA is also committed to allocate between 10-20% of net profits from each tour to conserving the areas visited. To date this has generated over $76,000 that has gone directly into conservation efforts. This is money that private, for profit tour operators would not have left behind.

MEA offers high quality, unique travel experiences and can custom design tour itineraries for organizations and individuals who are interested in visiting protected areas and are concerned about conserving these areas. MEA has the ability to draw from a wide range of experts (mostly local) who lead these tours. Some examples of tours include: Trekking in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, catch and release bone fishing in Belize, bird watching in rainforests throughout, rafting down the Rio Platano through pristine lowland rainforest in Honduras, to name just a few.

MEA`s mission aim is taking hold in the U.S. (its target market for ecotourism) and will be attending more institutions and companies in 2005 like local Audubon chapters and Mountain Travel Sobek. They have even teamed up with a prominent ornithologist, Robert Ridgely, to offer a 15 day Honduras/El Salvador birding tour. Unlike most private tour operators who specialize in a handful of destinations MEA has a region-wide scope whose tours maximize conservation dollars raised and at the same time remain extremely price competitive.

Each day eco-travelers are looking to get more for their money and also want to contribute more to conservation. MEA`s unique position to do just that will enhance the experience of anyone wishing to visit protected areas in the region and make them feel good knowing that a significant portion of tour revenues go directly to conservation efforts.

For more info on MEA check out its website at www.travelwithmea.org or contact Mark Willuhn at mark@travelwithmea.org .

The Angelitos Felices Childrens Shelter in Copan Ruinas is the only home of its kind for at risk kids in Copan Ruinas. The shelter has been supported of late by variou groups of tourists who have become aware of the project through Diny Duyn-Schiks, owner of the Vamos a Ver restaurant.

When Diny changed apartments a few months back she stumbled upon the childrens shelter and realized the great needs it is facing. Food is cooked on an improvised wood fire, young children were literally eating off the ground in extremely unhealthy and unsanitary conditions. Young and old children were mixed together and there was little community and business sector support for the home. At risk kids who are almost exclusively poor have few supporters and sponsors - they are an invisible constituency, so every penny needed to sustain the shelter had to be begged and borrowed to make ends meet.

The dining room - if one can call it that, is like everything else at the home, improvised and inadequate. Some 50 kids each day are served a very basic, hot meal in pretty appalling conditions. Resources at the shelter are bare bones and donations made by tourists have made the difference in recent months, enabling the shelter to raise their standards of care, at least to a more basic level, although conditions are still not suitable to foment the healthy development of the children living there.

Needs at Angelitos Felices are great. They need alot more space to handle all the kids who live there, more bedrooms, beds, linens, bathrooms, showers, a proper kitchen, more food, dining area, clean water, a play area for kids are just some of the basics on their wish list.

High on everyones list is to build a new home in another location to properly attend to the children as the current location is inadequate and is being lent to the project by the municipality.
According to Marion Curran, an Irish volunteer a web site and fund raising amongst Eurpoean school kids is on the agenda in order to raise funds for the shelter. School kids in other countries can raise money and collect toys, clothing,etc.

Speaking about the importance of the shelter in Copan Ruinas, Curran stated that the home is important for four reasons; " to help kids that have no parents, provide a safe haven for kids that have been abused sexually, mentally or physically at home, provide day care facilities for working poor mothers and provide a safe haven for street kids."

" The importance of taking kids off the streets and providing them with a safe haven " she states " is of utmost importance as most of the kids come from damaged homes where they have been abused."

Up to this point the project has been run in a very informal manner, with a smattering of local citizens and a handful of tourists helping out of the goodness of their hearts. However this lack of a formal structure inhibits the shelter from receiving aid from more formal sources like non governmental organizations and cooperating countries like Japan that may be able to provide aid for example for the construction of a permanent shelter.

It is hard to believe that just a scant two blocks from Copans Central Park and a block from one of its finest hotels is a childrens shelter which is struggling to provide the most basic, rudimentary services to its kids. Tourists, the local comunity as well as the local business sector should all contribute their part to insuring that at risk kids receive at least the most basic of services. In a relatively prosperous community such as Copan Ruinas, there is no reason why a shelter like Angelitos Felices cannot thrive and prosper. The resources are here .... Copan receives some 120,000 tourists per year and the town boasts a thriving and expanding tourism private sector ..... all that is needed is the effort of all interested parties in making it a reality.

For information on what you can do to help the Angelitos Felices Childrens Shelter contact Diny Duyn-Schiks at tel 651-4627.

Our "Town-City", The Heart Of Our Country

By JOSE ANTONIO ROJAS

American School
English Courses
Level X

Tegucigalpa is the perfect city for the person who needs something different. This city is made for people who are sick of big buildings, long highways and unusual architecture; for the people who want the lights and the light of a city with a touch of tradition, for those who need a city and a town at the same time.

In our "town-city" everything might be of interest for the casual visitor. If you're the kind of person who loves the past and wants to know about the history of a land made of Hondurans and by Hondurans, you should go to the "Centro Histórico" (Historical Center). It's here, where can find the oldest buildings of our city and also, most of our museums such as "Museo Nacional Villa Roy" (Villa Roy National Museum) and the "Museo Histórico Militar" (Historical Military Museum); these all display the history of our democracy, our freedom and our country. Located in front of our National Congress we find the "Galeria Nacional de Arte" (National Art Gallery), there you will find artwork from our most important artists of all time.

"El Cristo del Picacho" (Picacho´s Christ) is only 7 years old but has become one of the icons of our "town-city". He's probably the first Honduran you see on arrival.

Now, if you're tired of museums and artwork and need a change in scenery, at a 20 minute drive, you can see our past pass right in front of you eyes. Santa Lucia is a little colonial community, where the past walks, breathes and lives; in its houses, its beautiful cathedral and its people. You should stay for the night just to see how the stars glimmer in the Mirror of the Sky, the pond in the middle of the town. If you decide to do so, "La Posada De Las Nubes" is the right place in the locality. "Valle de Angeles" (Angel's Valley) is another colonial town where you can walk on the old streets and purchase beautiful crafts too.

If food is your fancy, you definitely have to try our typical meals. Our "frijolitos, pupusas, tamalitos, cuajada and tortillas" to mention a few are a must in "Valle de Angeles" at "La Casa de las Abuelas" (Grandma's House) or at "El Anafre", there as a bonus you'll have the taste of food cooked in a "Fogón", another gift for you. In Tegucigalpa you can try "Pupusas" at "Pupusas La Cabaña" or our typical food at "El Patio" where you'll find an unusual restaurant, with some of the best typical food and a very special decoration. This makes "El Patio" my selection for you.

I guess now, you have enough reasons to visit us; and there are plenty more. Come visit us, we'll be waiting to greet you with a smile.

The Angelitos Felices Children's Shelter in Copan Ruinas is the only home of its kind for at risk kids in Copan Ruinas. The shelter has been supported of late by various groups of tourists who have become aware of the project through Diny Duyn-Schiks, owner of the Vamos a Ver restaurant.

When Diny changed apartments a few months back she stumbled upon the children's shelter and realized the great needs it is facing. Food is cooked on an improvised wood fire, young children were literally eating off the ground in extremely unhealthy and unsanitary conditions. Young and old children were mixed together and there was little community and business sector support for the home. At risk kids who are almost exclusively poor have few supporters and sponsors - they are an invisible constituency, so every penny needed to sustain the shelter had to be begged and borrowed to make ends meet.

The dining room - if one can call it that, is like everything else at the home, improvised and inadequate. Some 50 kids each day are served a very basic, hot meal in pretty appalling conditions. Resources at the shelter are bare bones and donations made by tourists have made the difference in recent months, enabling the shelter to raise their standards of care, at least to a more basic level, although conditions are still not suitable to foment the healthy development of the children living there.

Needs at Angelitos Felices are great. They need a lot more space to handle all the kids who live there, more bedrooms, beds, linens, bathrooms, showers, a proper kitchen, more food, dining area, clean water, a play area for kids are just some of the basics on their wish list.
High on everyone's list is to build a new home in another location to properly attend to the children as the current location is inadequate and is being lent to the project by the municipality.
According to Marion Curran, an Irish volunteer a web site and fund raising amongst European school kids is on the agenda in order to raise funds for the shelter. School kids in other countries can raise money and collect toys, clothing, etc.

Speaking about the importance of the shelter in Copan Ruinas, Curran stated that the home is important for four reasons; " to help kids that have no parents, provide a safe haven for kids that have been abused sexually, mentally or physically at home, provide day care facilities for working poor mothers and provide a safe haven for street kids."

" The importance of taking kids off the streets and providing them with a safe haven " she states " is of utmost importance as most of the kids come from damaged homes where they have been abused."
Up to this point the project has been run in a very informal manner, with a smattering of local citizens and a handful of tourists helping out of the goodness of their hearts. However this lack of a formal structure inhibits the shelter from receiving aid from more formal sources like non governmental organizations and cooperating countries like Japan that may be able to provide aid for example for the construction of a permanent shelter.

It is hard to believe that just a scant two blocks from Copan's Central Park and a block from one of its finest hotels is a children's shelter which is struggling to provide the most basic, rudimentary services to its kids. Tourists, the local community as well as the local business sector should all contribute their part to insuring that at risk kids receive at least the most basic of services. In a relatively prosperous community such as Copan Ruinas, there is no reason why a shelter like Angelitos Felices cannot thrive and prosper. The resources are here .... Copan receives some 120,000 tourists per year and the town boasts a thriving and expanding tourism private sector ..... all that is needed is the effort of all interested parties in making it a reality.

For information on what you can do to help the Angelitos Felices Children's Shelter contact Diny Duyn-Schiks at Tel. 651-4627.