Tourism Triangle

TOGETHER with Jimmy Morales , president of Guatemala , and Salvador Sánchez Cerén, president of El Salvador , Juan Orlando Hernández, president of Honduras , announced, the inclusion of El Salvador in the Customs Union of the Northern Triangle. The three countries cover an area of ​​more than 77,000 square miles and represent about 60 percent of the Central American population.

This integrated economic bloc will promote free movement of people and goods between the three countries while creating jobs that increase trade opportunities, improve regional security and facilitate the conditions for tourism. The three countries cover an area of ​​more than 77,000 square miles and represent about 60 percent of the Central American population.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

The Honduran Coffee Route

HONDURAS, one the world's leading coffee exporters and home to a multitude of award-winning coffee farms, is ready to welcome travelers this upcoming fall season when perfect weather and ideal coffee harvesting conditions collide in the country's picturesque coffee regions. 

The Honduran Coffee Route is a journey through six identified coffee regions that allows visitors to hear the success stories of local farmers and learn about their cultivating and roasting procedures while visiting farms, training centers, and research facilities in some of the country's most beautiful destinations.

An initiative of the #Honduras Institute of Coffee in collaboration with the Honduras Institute of Tourism, the Honduran Coffee Route is a must-see for coffee aficionados and travelers that are thirsty to learn more about one of the Central American country's greatest exports.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Fuego volcano resumes regular activity

THE Fuego Volcano in #Guatemala had a large eruption on Sunday June 3rd which has devastated several communities at the foot of the volcano. The nearby regions of Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, and Chimaltenango were also impacted by ash fall and mudflow from the volcano. Antigua, Guatemala City, and beyond were showered with volcanic ash and the Aurora International Airport was closed for a short period of time, reopening on Monday June 4th.

The skies have now cleared and the volcano has resumed its regular small ash/steam eruptions, although local operators have advised they will be avoiding Fuego and neighbouring Acatenango Volcano for the foreseeable future. Any travellers planning to visit Guatemala in the near future should monitor the situation however all other tourist regions including Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenengo, Xela, the Pacific Coast, Tikal, and Rio Dulce are not impacted and safe from the damage caused by Sunday’s eruption and remain open for business.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK
Picture credit: marcoverch Souvenier aus Guatemala via photopin

In the heart of Central America

BOASTING a variety of ecosystems and a vast amount of protected land, Honduras is home to a wealth of nature and wildlife both above land and under the ocean. The country presents numerous unparalleled experiences: nature, including the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, designated a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO; several archeological sites such as Copan, declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO; adventure with river rafting and rappelling through the protected jungles; diving in pristine reefs on the Caribbean coast and connecting with authentic culture including several indigenous groups who have preserved their customs and tradition.

One of the most spectacular cities of ancient Maya civilization and a monumental archeological site, Copan is a ruins complex known for its beautiful stone temples, altars, hieroglyphs, and stelae. It was one of the most important civilizations during the Classic period, from A.D. 250-900, and the site of significant advances in mathematics and astronomy until it was suddenly abandoned. 

Fortress of San Fernando de Omoa in Cortés is an 18th-century Spanish fort, built for protection from pirates raiding from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1779, it was the site of the Battle of San Fernando, a short siege between British and Spanish forces shortly after Spain joined the American Revolutionary War as an American ally. In 1959, the Honduran government committed to a restoration project and the fort has become one of the most popular tourist spots in the country.

Combining two of Honduras' most impressive qualities, archeology meets nature at Los Naranjos Eco-Archeological Park, offering archeological remains and protected natural land. Located on the northern shores of Lake Yojoa, excavations in the 1930s and 1960s lead to findings from varied time periods with artifacts marked as early as 800-400 B.C. and as late as A.D. 950-1250. 

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Discover Honduras long hidden secrets

NEWLINK Group has banded together with the Honduran Institute of Tourism to promote the distinct beauty and history of Honduras to world-travelers and archaeological buffs alike. #Honduras has long been the home to some of the world's most well-known archeological sites, but with others of legend only recently discovered, the Central American country continues to add to its robust archeology offering. 

With years of speculation and searching, Honduras' legendary "The Lost City of the Monkey God" was discovered in 2015. Located in the Mosquitia region in eastern Honduras, "Kaha Kamasa," meaning White City in Misquito dialect, is home to ruins dating between A.D. 1,000 and 1,500. 

The new Archeology Research Center, located in the El Aguacate sector of the Olancho province, will house artifacts excavated from the site and serves as a place for educational tourism, welcoming visitors to learn about the scientific procedures that have been applied to study the found relics.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK
Picture Credit: pintrest

Partner up in Panama

#PANAMA, having recently launched their new golf tourism program, announces the corresponding website Panama Golf Destination is now live and accepting golf travel bookings. Packages for all inclusive golf, accommodations and meals/beverages can be custom tailored upon request.

The following courses are included in the new destination for golf program; Mantarraya Golf Club, Buenaventura Golf Club, Coronado Golf Club and Vista Mar Golf Club (Beaches), Santa Maria, Tucan Golf and Country Club, Summit Golf Club and Club de Golf de Panama (City) and Lucero Country Club (Mountains).


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Turneffe Island Resorts relaunches

TURNEFFE Island Resort a unique private island oasis offers adventure-seekers a personalized experience with unparalleled fishing, diving and snorkeling excursions. Spread across 14 acres, this hidden gem island at the southern tip of the #Turneffe Atoll is 35 miles off the coast of #Belize City and only 30 miles from the world-famous Great Blue Hole.

The resort specializes in all-inclusive fishing, diving and snorkeling packages for avid water enthusiasts. From the lengths of the saltwater Turneffe Flats to the depths of the Great Blue Hole, guests have easy access to Caribbean waters – and seasoned guides who grew up on the water of the centuries-old Turneffe Atoll channels, lagoons and reef.

“We are delighted to unveil the new Turneffe Island Resort on our 15-year anniversary. We’ve renovated the property, as we do after each season, but we’re especially excited to make a dramatic debut for guests, both returning and new, this season,” said Deborah Finkler, sales and marketing manager, Turneffe Island Resort. “We’ve enhanced our special adventure packages and have a brand new website to allow visitors to virtually experience all the luxury and adventure that the island and surrounding Caribbean waters can offer.”

The resort is known as one of the only places in the world where one can chase the elusive “Caribbean Grand Slam”, catching a bonefish, tarpon and permit, all in one day. Guests can also fish for snapper, barracuda and jack for a truly unforgettable fish story.

The resort offers multiple dives per day with Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)-certified guides, a weekly night dive and trips to one of the deepest dives in the world, the legendary Great Blue Hole, a collapsed 1000-year old oceanic cave, where divers head 130 feet underwater.

With direct flights from US cities Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York to Belize City, Turneffe Island Resort is remote, but not difficult to get to.

For more information on Turneffe Island Resort or to book your trip, please visit http://www.turnefferesort.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: By Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA - A stop on an atoll, CC BY 2.0 commons.wikimedia.org 24321078

Costa Rica reports record tourism figures for 2015

LAST year set a record for in-bound tourism for #CostaRica with revenue from tourism up by nine percent.

International tourist numbers hit an all-time high, with 2,665,608 visitors, an increase of 5.5 percent on 2014.

There were 47,499 visitors from the UK, an increase of 20.1 percent on 2014 – the highest rise of all European markets. In other markets, more than one million visitors were from the United States.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board is predicting further growth this year, following the start direct flights from British Airways from London Gatwick in April.

Mauricio Ventura, Costa Rica minister of tourism says: “We expect to see continued growth in 2016, particularly from the UK. The direct flight from BA is a fantastic opportunity for Costa Rica and demonstrates the airline’s confidence in our country as an exciting, thriving tourist destination with much to offer the British tourist.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Up in the air . . .

AMERICAN AIRLINES is to put #Belize on the map for UK visitors. From November, Brits will be able to fly return to Belize City without an overnight stop in the US or Mexico. 

Launching on November 4, in conjunction with the start of Belize’s high visitor season, out-bound flights will operate four days a week on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday while in-bound flights will operate daily. Both will fly all year round. 

American Airlines will introduce afternoon outbound flights from London Heathrow, with a few hours’ connection in Miami onto Belize City, plus morning and mid-day in-bound flights, again connecting for just a few hours in Miami.

In 2015, Belize had 12,650 UK visitors – an 11.4 percent increase on the 2014 total.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Hotel boom ahead for Cancun

THE next five years are likely see the addition of 13,000 hotel rooms in #Cancun, says Carlos Gosselin, president of the Hotel Association of Cancun and Puerto Morelos. This represents a 40% increase on the current capacity, with the total number of rooms expected to exceed 45,000 by 2020.

The announcement comes after a recent spate of openings which includes the five star-Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, the 424 room Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, the kid-friendly Emporio Family Suites Cancun, and the beach-front Hyatt Ziva hotel.

The statement was made as figures reveal that Cancun hotel occupancy rates during the first half of 2015 were at a 93%, a record for the city and higher than any other major Caribbean holiday destination. To meet the demand there are already plenty of new properties and renovations in the planning, and according to Gosselin future developments will need to meet strict sustainability criteria. The most ambitious project already under construction is the 1,800 room all-inclusive Hard Rock Cancun, which is expected to welcome its first guests in 2017.

The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau attributes the growth in hotel demand to a plethora of new attraction openings, increased flight connectivity and to Cancun's growing reputation as a leading #holiday #destination for luxury and quality. The falling value of the Mexican Peso is also helping to fuel the tourism boom meaning holidaymakers have much more cash to splash in Cancun than they did last year.

There has never been a wider choice of accommodation available to suit all tastes and budgets in Cancun. Whether on a family break or on a romantic couples retreat, visitors can always expect outstanding service, first class dinning and value for money. With direct daily flights from London Gatwick and on selected dates from East Midlands, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Stansted, Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports, it has never been easier to connect with Cancun. 

www.cancun.travel 

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Cancun Pier at Sunset by Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA - Cancun Pier at Sunset. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Cancun-43 by Dronepicr - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons