Latin America and the Caribbean

Honduras

Design of Bay Islands Business for the Environment

A multilateral development bank hired PA to conduct an assessment of private sector tourism activities in the Bay Islands, Honduras, and to design a strategy to promote their active participation in the environmental management of the islands’ fragile ecosystems.  Located approximately 50 km. (30 miles) from Honduras’ North Atlantic coast, the archipelago of the Bay Islands is surrounded by coral reefs that provide the main attraction for the tourism-related activities that dominate the local economy and have turned the islands into an internationally recognized diving destination.  The strategy designed by PA considered the local tourist industry’s level of organization, as well as the importance of linking environmental protection to community development, the industry’s economic success and the development of local capacity.  The strategy assigned a leading role to the local community and business organizations in the design and implementation of environmental activities.

Tourism competitiveness assessment for the Copan archaeological complex

PA was engaged by the World Bank to design a public-private outreach program to be implemented by the municipalities of Copan Ruinas and three others in Honduras.  The plan was to encourage co-operation among community stakeholders to undertake projects improving urban management, and selected public services in each town to boost their long-term competitiveness for international tourism and investment. PA also designed part of the upcoming Competitiveness Loan that is intended to upgrade the quality of life and 'destination value' of four secondary towns, enabling them to compete internationally.