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Tourism Industry Revenues Decline by 3%

Tourism Industry Revenues Decline by 3%

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:15

Minister of Tourism Ana Abarca said Monday that Honduras' tourism industry accounted for US$611.1 million in revenues in 2009. The total represents a decline of US$18.9 million, or 3 percent, from 2008. Central Americans represented 46 percent of tourists to Honduras, followed by North Americans and Europeans. According to Mrs. Abarca, cruise ship passengers visiting the country totaled 429,829, or 1 percent less than in 2008. Despite the drop, tourism remains the the third largest revenue generator for the Honduran economy, next to remittances from abroad and coffee. The maquila industry, which has been on a decline, exported an estimated US$250 million in goods last year.

The Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) has a relatively small budget of about US$2.5 million annually, which it has used to advertise in magazines such as National Geographic and exhibit at 10 international tourism trade shows in Europe, Latin America, and the United States. (photo of "Gaia" courtesy Hacienda San Lucas)