BID to Finance Honduran Tourism Programs

TEGUCIGALPA (ACAN-EFE) –Sustainable tourism projects in Honduraswill receive a $35 million boost from theInter-American Development Bank (BID),officials announced last week.The agreement for the BID loan wassigned July 8 by officials from the lendinginstitution and the Honduras Institute ofTourism, and witnessed by HonduranPresident Ricardo Maduro.The resources will finance publicinvestments such as the construction of anairfield in Río Amarillo, in westernHonduras near the Mayan archaeologicalsite of Copán.Funds will also go to the restoration ofthe San Fernando de Omoa castle, a fortlocated in the Caribbean region of Cortés.It was constructed by the Spanish duringthe conquest of America for defenseagainst pirates.The project is meant to increaseinvestment, employment and businessopportunities in regions with tourismpotential, according to a statement fromthe presidency.The private sector is already followingsuit with a $14.9 million investment inbasic infrastructure for a hotel project,Los Micos Beach and Golf Resort, nearthe port of Tela, in the Caribbean.Black communities near Tela will benefitfrom electrification, drainage andsolid waste projects, according to thestatement.According to officials, beyond the $35million from the BID, an additional $12million for the projects will be financedby the Central American Bank forEconomic Integration (BCIE), the governmentalof Taiwan and national funds.