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Banana Coast, Honduras’ first major mainland cruise port
scheduled to open in 2012 in the town of Trujillo, is beginning to get noticed
as a potential destination to diversify Western Caribbean itineraries.
For Honduras, Trujillo, "The Banana Coast" port would open the
interior of the country and continue a trend of Central America development.
People are going into Belize and Guatemala, and Roatán has come along so this is
another port in the region that gives cruise operators options along with
Mexico’s Costa Maya which is also relevant to the area.
The $20m Banana Coast development project, led by Grande Trujillo Authoridad (GTA)
— a partnership between the Municipality of Trujillo, local landowners led by
Life Vision Properties and Miami-based Global Destinations Development — is
scheduled to receive its first cruise passengers in 2012. Discussions with
several lines are under way.
The destination has launched its official website at www.bananacoast.com with
information about the project, the town, its history and culture, things to do
in the region and a photo gallery.
Randy Jorgensen, ceo for Life Vision Developments and GTA board member, said
Banana Coast will create ‘a sustainable landside tourism industry coupled with a
custom-built cruise port infrastructure in a destination that combines
ecotourism and soft-adventure opportunities.’
Creation of a cruise port at Trujillo has been under discussion since 2004.
Global Destinations Development conducted a Cruise Destination Fitness Test to
assess the area’s feasibility as a cruise destination. The test analyzed the
major factors that constitute a successful destination, including geographic
location, docks, condition of the town, marketing attractiveness to cruisers and
travel agents, maritime operational costs, on-board revenue potential and
predicted guest satisfaction.
Banana Coast aims to combine the natural attractions of Trujillo, a town with a
population of 30,000 located on Honduras’ northern coast, with high-quality
passenger facilities and amenities. The project will feature Banana Coast
Landing, a themed retail destination with approximately 50,000sq ft of shopping,
a restaurant and an excursion marina, all framed by the town’s tropical setting.
Trujillo is located on Trujillo Bay, a natural, protected deep-water harbor
visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502. While ships initially will anchor and
tender passengers, GTA plans eventually to build a dock capable of accommodating
two post-Panamax vessels simultaneously near downtown Trujillo. |
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Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.
150 S. University Dr. Ste E,
Plantation, FL 33324 - USA
Tel: +1 954 452 8800 Fax: +1 954
252 3945
EMail:
sales@cruiseco.com |
