Travel to Honduras discouraged: tourism down 70% since June 28th coup

October 26, 10:46 PMDallas Tropical Travel ExaminerDebbra Brouillette

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Bay Islands, Honduras (Photo: PicApp.com)

If you were thinking of planning a scuba diving trip to the Bay Islands of Honduras, you may want to think again…  Honduras’ tourist industry, including its Bay Islands, a formerly popular scuba diving destination, has taken a major hit, since the June 28th coup, which ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya.

Ex-Honduran President Zelaya (Photo: PicApp.com)

An article on Time.com headlined, “Honduras’ Tourism Minister: ‘Don’t Visit My Country!’ outlined how Minister of tourism Ricardo Mart’nez, who was also ousted with the coup, presented a video at a recent tourism convention in El Salvador showing supporters of the ousted President clashing with riot police in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. His message was to actually discourage visitors at the present time, saying, “I'd like to tell everyone to come to Honduras, and that it's a tranquil place and everything is beautiful, but you think I'd be successful with that message? Of course not."

Flag of Honduras (Photo: PicApp.com)

Mart’nez also reported that while tourism grew by 9% in 2008, since the coup it is down a whopping 70%.  TACA International Airlines has a statement on its website addressing the political situation in Honduras, informing its customers and passengers that the option to change dates, routes or flight without penalty is available until October 31, 2009. The Time article reports “several TACA airlines flights to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, which used to bring hundreds of tourists to Honduras every day, have been canceled.”

The Department of State has also issued a Travel Alert for Honduras, recommending that American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice. The alert expires on December 20, 2009. While most of the demonstrations have occurred at various locations on the mainland of Honduras, there have been two small demonstrations on the Bay Islands of Honduras, according to the State Department alert.

The site further states: “Demonstrations both against and in favor of the new regime are expected to continue in the coming days throughout the country.  Demonstrations to date have been generally non-violent with few reports of injuries.  However, Americans are reminded that peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning.  Demonstrations are expected to increase in frequency as the November 29, 2009 elections approach.”

“Honduras' borders remain open, and the airports remain open for regularly scheduled flights.  Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines continue to operate flights as usual, though this is subject to change.  Those with flights scheduled with American Airlines may wish to call (504) 216-4800 (Honduras) or 1-800-433-7300 (United States).  Those traveling with Delta Airlines may wish to call 1-800-241-4141 (United States and Central America) or (504) 550-1616 (San Pedro Sula).  Those with flights scheduled with Continental Airlines may wish to call (504) 220-0999 (Tegucigalpa), (504) 557-4141 (San Pedro Sula), or 1-800-231-0856 (United States).

“The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid large gatherings and not try to pass roadblocks if they encounter them.  U.S. citizens should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio when possible, and via the Internet.”

Link to Time.com article:
www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1932100,00.html
Link to State Department Travel Alert:
travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4526.html

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