U.S. Cancels Travel Alert to Honduras

Representatives for Honduras tourism have announced that the U.S. canceled all pending travel alerts to Honduras. The Department of State issued a travel alert in July, stating “The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the current unstable political and security situation in Honduras, and recommends that American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice.”

The alert was issued shortly after Honduran military ousted President Manuel Zelaya and sent him out of the country. However, on November 29, the Honduran people peacefully elected their new president – Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo, who will take office on January 27. The United States and other countries have already expressed their recognition of President-Elect Lobo. Wholesalers have looked to the elections as a positive sign and are once again aggressively selling the destination.

Tourism sales have already seen a dramatic increase as the Canadian charter season begins in mid-December, and the country’s high season is around the corner with discounted rates. Throughout the summer, airlines and cruise ships continued to operate their services as normal. In fact, some airlines added service and cruise arrivals increased over the same period in 2008. Just last month, the new $62 million Mahogany Bay cruise terminal in Roatán, owned by Carnival Cruise Lines, welcomed its first passengers to the unique facility that incorporates 20 acres of waterfront property and includes a two-berth cruise terminal which can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers daily.

Visit www.letsgohonduras.com.