Honduran President Urges National Congress to Approve Tourism Incentives

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, President Juan Orlando Hernández urged the National Congress of Honduras to approve the Tourism Incentives Act. The legislation would help create 250,000 jobs by 2019 as part of Honduras' 20/20 growth plan.

"Honduras is becoming a highly desirable destination for tourists," said Hernández. "This new legislation would provide $165 million USD in tourism incentives over 18 years -- an investment set to generate about a quarter billion dollars for Honduras."

Honduran Tourism Institute Director Emilio Silvestri recently met with Hernández, National Congress Speaker Mauricio Oliva, and tourism sector representatives to discuss the legislation at the Legislative Palace in Tegucigalpa.

The act includes tax incentives for the tourism industry, financial support for land and air travel to Honduras, and funds to increase and improve lodging options in the nation over the next 10 to 15 years.

The Honduran tourism industry is poised to take off. The number of stayover visitors to the country has jumped 4 percent since 2015, and international tourism spending is on the rise. Compared to 2015, 14.7 percent more passengers arrived to the country via cruise ship last year.

Oliva has assured members of the national tourism industry that "Congress will not fail them." "We are going to proceed with the responsibility and commitment this country needs," he said.

"Honduras has enormous growth potential," Hernández stated. "This legislation will be a turning point for Honduran tourism."

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SOURCE Republic of Honduras