Central America Boasts Competitive Small Hotels

As part of an initiative drummed up by the Central America Tourism Council (CCT), some 250 small hotels in the region have been trained in technology and marketing management.

Small and midsize lodgings are now recognized as some of the most competitive resorts in Central America and "their successful inclusion in the region´s tourist mesh brooks no further delay," said Gonzalo Aguirre, regional director of the Assistance Program of the Small Hotel Association of Central America, an organization attached to the CCT.

The Organization of American States has funneled $300,000 into the project, plus $25,000 chipped in by the tourism ministries of the region´s six countries.

Mr. Aguirre highlighted the tremendous endeavor made by nations like Honduras and Costa Rica, whose small hotel offers embrace 80 and 90 percent, respectively, of their total amount of accommodations. These resorts -ranging from five to fifty rooms each- have a payroll of a dozen employees.

As to the common strategy aimed at making Central America a top multi-destination choice, Mr. Aguirre explained several tourist companies have merged to offer travelers far more luring packages.

According to Mr. Aguirre, one of the urgent matters that must be tackled right away is the need to find fresh financial sources for that project. "We´re currently holding talks with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Spanish Aid Agency to form a trusteeship.”

At the same time, there are efforts underway to create a federation of environment-friendly small hotels and other mom-and-pop businesses that deliver top-quality service in keeping with international guidelines.