One of the great challenges of the Central American isthmus is the high air fares, which have been mitigated by greater competition from airlines.
The multi-destination strategy seeks to facilitate the conditions for tourists from Europe, Canada or the United States, who normally stay in Central America for more than two weeks, because they are looking to visit several countries.
"At the last meeting in Roatán of the Central American Integration System, it was proposed that local flights could be made between Honduras and Guatemala," explains Epaminondas Marinakys, vice president of the National Chamber of Tourism of Honduras.
In Honduras, departure taxes on international flights, the airport departure rate for international flights from Honduras is US $ 39.72, while for nationals it is L49 (US $ 2.1), according to Aeropuertos de Honduras.
For local airlines such as Sosa, CM Airlines or Avianca will have a more agile and easy way to cross borders, which translates into lower costs.
"That obviously requires structural changes in the migratory part, customs, security checks; But it is already raised and if it is given will be a great opportunity for the countries of the area, "says Marinakys.
Greater competition
For example, it is now possible to travel back and forth for $ 300 from Panama to El Salvador, thanks to the entry of Air Panama and Veca to those markets.
However, the ticket from Honduras to Costa Rica is quoted above US $ 500, more expensive than traveling to the United States.
"As more low-cost airlines enter, this is going to get better," said Emilio Silvestri, director of the Honduran Tourism Institute (IHT), who explains that before traveling to Guatemala or El Salvador cost US $ 600, but with the Entry of the CM Airlines line the ticket has dropped to US $ 290, depending on the season.
The official explains that one of the government's efforts is to bring more airlines, for example, flights from Houston to San Pedro Sula with Spirit, or the entry of Choice Aire from Miami and New Orleans.
In Central America, since December 1, Costa Rica-based Volaris Costa Rica (a subsidiary of Mexico's Volaris), which already flies to Guatemala City, will take off from El Salvador in January, most likely . Within three years they hope to reach a dozen destinations, connecting the Central American capitals.
On the same day, Wingo, a low-cost subsidiary of Copa Holdings, based in Bogota and within the region of San Jose, Panama and Guatemala, was launched to improve connectivity and reduce ticket prices.
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